Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare announces Expansion of Mental Health and Addictions Urgent Crisis Centre (MHAUCC) to support Emergency Services

WINDSOR, ON – Today, Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare (HDGH), alongside the Canadian Mental Health Association, Windsor Police Services, Essex-Windsor EMS and Windsor Regional Hospital announced plans to expand services at the HDGH Mental Health and Addictions Urgent Crisis Centre (MHAUCC). This expansion means policing and EMS partners will now have access 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to the MHAUCC to quickly transition voluntary individuals in crisis to subject matter experts, freeing up time to respond to priority incidents and reducing emergency room wait times. This proof of concept is the first step to further enhancements that will be made at the MHAUCC in the future. Once dropped off at the MHAUCC, clients will experience specialized care as part of a stabilization unit. Four beds will be dedicated to supporting clients while they wait for initial assessments. Clients will be supported by HDGH staff including RPN’s and linkages to primary care at CMHA Health Centre can also be made.

By utilizing this alternative to the emergency department, emergency personnel can get back on the road quicker, streamlining frontline operations and improving response times to high-priority calls. Current walk-in crisis services will remain between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., 7 days a week for anyone experiencing a mental health or addictions crisis. Between June 24 and December 31 of last year, the MHAUCC saw 943 clients, 44 of those clients were transferred directly from the emergency department. The partnership has allowed for a seamless transition for clients in need.

This partnership highlights the strength of cross-sectoral collaborations, enabling us to connect individuals with the right resources faster and more effectively. Similar programs such as the Windsor Crisis Response Team (CRT) have diverted over 90% of clients from the emergency room.

We look forward to continuing this relationship with our partners as we create a more focused specialized system for those struggling with mental health and addictions.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Nicole Crozier, Director of Communications and Mission

Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare

(226)-345-9710

nicole.crozier@hdgh.org

Quotes:

“As Windsor-Essex’s specialty hospital, we are incredibly proud to be standing alongside these partners as we continue to look at innovative ways to reduce barriers, create timely access to services, and align the right resources to support some of our region’s most vulnerable populations. When the MHAUCC was relocated to its new location in June, it was done so with the intention of expanding services to better support system pressures and those individuals experiencing a mental health and/or addiction crisis. With today’s proof of concept expansion announcement, we are continuing that work, ultimately supporting those who need it most.” - Bill Marra, President and CEO, Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare

“Partnering with health care professionals and subject matter experts allows us to provide an informed, effective response to people in crisis. These important partnerships serve to reduce overall visits by individuals to hospital emergency departments and reduce both potential and risk of negative or even violent interactions between police officers and individuals living in the margins of our society. Ultimately, we are seeking better strategies for those who need assistance from appropriate agencies rather than confrontation with police officers.” - Jason Bellaire, Chief, Windsor Police Service

“Today’s announcement is a testament to the collaboration that has been happening across our region to improve access to care for those who need it most. Since its opening, the MHAUCC has been an option for Paramedics to bring their patients between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. However, this expansion will now allow Paramedics to bring patients 24/7. These types of enhancements build capacity and provide Paramedics with the opportunity to reduce transports to the emergency department safely.” - Justin Lammers, Chief, Essex-Windsor EMS

“At CMHA-WECB, we are committed to supporting individuals in crisis by working hand-in-hand with Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, Windsor Regional Hospital and Windsor Police, through innovative and intersectoral initiatives such as the MHAUCC. Expanding these critical services with concurrent access to wrap around supports such as primary care and case management, ensures that those facing mental health and addiction challenges receive the right care at the right time. We are immensely proud of this work, its evolution, our partnerships, and certainly the improved outcomes for our clients and community as we continue to tilt the system toward meaningful transformation.” - Nicole Sbrocca, CEO, Canadian Mental Health Association

“This plan to expand the services provided by the MHAUCC is a great collaboration with HDGH, CMHA and WRH. We continue to work to grow and adapt our programs to meet the changing needs of the community, and this new expansion will provide additional intensive supports to individuals who may not need Emergency services but are in need of some urgent treatments.” - Jonathan Foster, Vice-President, Emergency, Trauma, Mental Health, Allied Health, Cancer Services, Renal, Organizational Effectiveness, Office of Research, Windsor Regional Hospital 

"This partnership demonstrates the strength in working together across sectors to better serve our community, efficiently and effectively connecting individuals to the right resources. We are confident that this partnership will lead to continued success with the expansion of services. The WEOHT is committed to building on this momentum to collaboratively meet the healthcare needs of our region." - Kristin Kennedy & Dr. Ken Blanchette, Steering Committee Co-Chairs, Windsor-Essex Ontario Health Team." - Kristin Kennedy & Dr. Ken Blanchette, Steering Committee Co-Chairs, Windsor-Essex Ontario Health Team