A new mental health unit with addiction support services will take shape at the Joseph Brant Hospital in Burlington. The project is part of Ontario’s $50-billion investment towards health infrastructure across the province over the next decade.

Once opened, the unit will include a new adult outpatient space to upgrade clinical flow and patient care and improved adult psychiatric intensive care space  for better patient-centred care and safety. Programs will include interdisciplinary teams of nurses, physicians, social workers, psychiatrists and recreation therapists to support complex patient care needs and provide crisis intervention, psychiatric assessment, treatment and stabilization. As well, enhanced child and youth programming will improve infection prevention and control measures.

Eric Vandewall, the hospital’s president and CEO, is excited the project is moving forward. “Redevelopment of our facilities will result in a more dignified, warm, and healing environment for the people who we serve, and increase access to mental health and addictions services for the people of Burlington and area,” he said.

The hospital currently serves residents in Burlington and within the surrounding communities of Halton Region, Hamilton, Waterdown, Flamborough, and Stoney Creek.