News Releases

Northeast Mental Health Centre Board Endorses NEMHC Medical Staff Report


May 20, 2010

 

NORTH BAY - The Northeast Mental Health Centre Board passed a motion today in support of a report presented to the North East Local Health Integration Network (NE LHIN) by the NEMHC medical staff to ensure the successful relocation of 31 specialized mental health beds to NEMHC's Kirkwood Site in Sudbury.

The Board acknowledged support for all the recommendations in the medical staffs' report.

"We feel it is imperative that all the recommendations made by our medical staff be accepted as they provide the necessary elements that will ensure successful relocation and subsequent implementation of high quality services our patients and their families have come to expect," stated Mary Tasz, chair of the Board.

Earlier this week the NE LHIN announced it had received a letter from the NEMHC Medical Staff in support of its decision to relocate 31 specialized mental health beds to NEMHC's Sudbury location. The letter makes reference to an attached report. The report can be accessed through the NEMHC website at:
http://www.nemhc.on.ca/downloads/2101_001.pdf

"The Board wishes to thank the NE LHIN for recognizing the expertise of NEMHC and its staff as the regional specialized mental health service provider for northeast Ontario and we look forward to working with the NE LHIN and our community partners as we implement the relocation of 31 patients to our Sudbury site," added Tasz.

A complete list of the NEMHC Medical Staff Report Recommendations is listed below:

• The LHIN should move ahead quickly with the plan to relocate 31 specialized mental health beds to Sudbury. There should be no further wavering.
• The LHIN should respect the expertise of the medical and other professional staff of NEMHC and allow us to lead the relocation process. We are the experts.
• The North East LHIN should respect our integrity in making decisions about the programs and patients to be moved. Meeting the needs of patients is the primary consideration in making such decisions.
• The North East LHIN should recognize the distinct nature of the patient population served by NEMHC, and support the delivery of high quality specialized programming designed to meet their needs.
• The North East LHIN should support the recruitment and retention of a critical mass of professionals with specialized skills to deliver effective specialized mental health programs serving patients in the northeast region.The North East LHIN should make the quality and effectiveness of programs and services the first priority. Although the delivery of services as close to home as possible is an important factor for some patients, it should not be the first priority.
• There should be recognition that for those patients for whom the delivery of services as close to home as possible is an important factor, the Sudbury location will be more central than the North Bay location.
• The LHIN must firmly close the debate on the location of specialized mental health beds. This has been a destructive debate, undermining collaboration between organizations in recent years.
• Indicators of equitable and optimal access to specialized mental health beds must be identified and monitored in a transparent manner on an ongoing basis.
• The retention of highly skilled professionals in northeast Ontario should be one of the highest priorities.
• Adequate resources must be allocated to fund the relocation and/or recruitment of needed professionals, and to ensure buildings and facilities meet appropriate standards.
• There should be no tolerance of further dissent over the location of specialized beds. There should be a clear expectation for organizations and professionals to set aside past disputes and work cooperatively to maximize the quality of patient care.

Contact:
Pat Stephens
Manager, Public Relations
North Bay General Hospital and Northeast Mental Health Centre
Cell: 705.471.3849
Office: 705.495.8127

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