Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, Commissioner of Public Health Paramedic Services/Medical Health Officer, introduced health system partners who provide mental health and addiction services: Steve Keczem, Steering Committee Co-Chair, Kristina Eliashevsky, Director, Cambridge North Dumfries Ontario Health Team, Lisa Akey, Director Programs and Services, and Eric Philip, Chief Executive Officer, Thresholds Homes and Supports, to present an update on Alternate Destination Clinics. A copy of the presentation is attached to the agenda.
They highlighted the potential positive impacts of Alternate Destination Clinics in the Region of Waterloo to improve crisis responses for individuals experiencing mental health and addiction issues. The Community Steering Committee is in the process of establishing two Cclinic sites that will create a safe-space for mental health and addiction support including referral pathways to and from emergency services such as walk-in clinics, paramedic transport, police transport, etc. They also provided an overview of the projects; specifically they discussed the success of the Cambridge North Dumfries Ontario Health Team had pilotinged an eight week Community Mental Health and Additions Clinic (C-MAC).
Katie Macdonald, Manager of Strategic & Quality Initiatives, provided next steps, which includes community engagement through the steering committee and the submission of a funding application to Ontario Health West.
Responding to the Committee, Helen Fishburn, CEO of the Canadian Mental Health Association (Waterloo Wellington Branch), confirmed that these programs have a positive impact in the community with a successful diversion rate of 85% over the last eight years. She noted the importance of integrating Alterative Destination Clinics within emergency services so that services are not in silos.
K. Macdonald confirmed that the Alterative Destination Clinics in other municipalities are accessible, so that individuals do not have to go through emergency services to seek help, but rather can go directly to a clinic without a referral.
In responding to the Committee, John Riches, Director/Chief, Paramedic J. Riches explainedServices explained that the emergency response from police or fire is a different process than is being considered with paramedic services. The intention is that once the Alternative Destination Clinics are established, that paramedic services would apply to the Province for the authorization to transport individuals to the clinics. He further explained that currently paramedic services must transport individuals requiring mental health and addictions support directly to the emergency room as per current regulations.
Received for information.