Mental health day program coming to P.E.I.
CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — A brand new day program for psychological well being therapy is slated to be launched in September and two of the individuals behind it are enthusiastic about what it can imply for Prince Edward Islanders.
Referred to as a partial hospitalization program, it can assist people coping with psychological well being points, who’re capable of go residence at evening however require plenty of help, mentioned psychiatrist Dr. Javier Salabarria.
“There may be actually a necessity for psychological well being therapy that’s intensive however not essentially hospital-based, not essentially overnights in an inpatient setting,” mentioned Salabarria in a phone interview with SaltWire Community on June 20. “That is all a part of our community-first technique of offering care within the least restrictive method.”
Partial hospitalization applications are widespread elsewhere, and Salabarria mentioned he thinks it can fill within the continuum of care right here on P.E.I.
“It’s in between outpatient and inpatient. If somebody wants an inpatient keep, then, clearly, we nonetheless have our inpatient beds, however this actually does afford a great quantity of flexibility for the person,” he mentioned. “That is going to be very useful to the whole system.”
New location
In preparation for the brand new program, acute care sufferers in Unit 9 on the Queen Elizabeth Hospital had been transferred to Hillsborough Hospital, whereas sufferers on the Hillsborough Hospital making ready to return to the neighborhood, had been moved to Unit 9. As soon as these sufferers are discharged, Unit 9 will likely be transformed to a brand new baby and adolescent psychological well being unit.
“Aligning our sources proper now, standardizing observe is what we’re transferring in the direction of to create efficiencies,” mentioned Leslie Warren, RN and director of acute and complicated take care of psychological well being and addictions, talking to SaltWire Community by cellphone on June 20.
“You possibly can have all of the buildings on this planet, however in case you don’t have the therapy programming, then it’s only a shiny new constructing. So, in my thoughts, that is key to have this developed and working as quickly as doable.” — Dr. Javier Salabarria
Having a day program will permit sufferers to ease out of the acute care setting of a hospital or permit somebody struggling in the neighborhood to entry help with out leaving residence for an prolonged time period.
“Mainly, (it’s for) any particular person, no matter analysis, who’s having vital signs the place a every day or virtually every day monitoring and therapy can be useful,” mentioned Salabarria.
Realizing the plan
The partial hospitalization program was outlined within the 2018 Mental Health and Addictions Master Program Vision doc ready for Well being P.E.I. and can finally turn out to be a part of the care provided on the future Hillsborough Hospital.
“We’re transferring ahead with implementing that with the brand new campus so this partial hospitalization program actually must occur, as a result of … it’s a medical want in the neighborhood and … we’re within the strategy of engaged on programming for the brand new campus and implementing new applications that may go together with the brand new buildings.
“You possibly can have all of the buildings on this planet, however in case you don’t have the therapy programming, then it’s only a shiny new constructing. So, in my thoughts, that is key to have this developed and working as quickly as doable as a result of it’s a degree of care I imagine is important for the neighborhood.”
Staffing complement
This system will make use of an occupational therapist, an occupational therapist’s assistant, a psychiatrist, two psychologists, an RN, an administrative assistant and presumably a social service employee, mentioned Warren.
“The workers that we’re bringing over to realign are literally excited to be creating this system together with our two new psychologists we’ve got employed,” mentioned Warren.
The staff is modelling this system on a template for partial hospitalization applications in use elsewhere.
“I believe the thrilling piece is that it’s going to present shoppers extra choices on the subject of therapies,” she mentioned.
This system will likely be tailor-made for every affected person. It is going to run Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to three p.m. and can include group classes and one-on-one remedy for between six to 12 weeks, relying on the affected person’s wants. This system can have ongoing consumption to a most of 12 individuals at a time.
Warren mentioned she is happy about this system’s potential.
“Being revolutionary and beginning to make some change that’s going to be good for the psychological well being of Islanders and having the pliability,” she mentioned is thrilling. “Being within the hospital is basically troublesome for individuals. It could reduce a few of that anxiousness for individuals by coming in for a day program and have the ability to go residence to your loved ones. I believe it’s a transfer in the appropriate route.”
Alison Jenkins is a well being reporter with the SaltWire Community in Prince Edward Island. @AlisonEBC
