Better Care Starts Here
A big thank you to everyone who donated to our Emergency Mental Health Campaign. Thanks to the generosity of 2,315 donors, we surpassed our $4 million goal to enhance patient care in the LGH Emergency Department. Carry on reading to learn more about the vital upgrades that will be coming to LGH in 2022.
When the Jim Pattison Emergency Centre was renovated and revitalized in 2009, 40,000 visitors a year were being treated. Today, more than 65,000 people a year visit the LGH Emergency Department. Of these patients 3,500 require emergency care for mental health and substance use issues and 17% of those patients are children and youth under the age of 19.
Our Emergency Mental Health campaign will fund an upgrade to provide rapid access to specialized mental health services and improved triage care. We have pledged to raise $4 million to bring this specialized care to the North Shore. We hope to have this fast-moving project completed by the fall of 2022. You can help by donating now.
Enhanced Mental Health Services
A new Mental Health Emergency Assessment Unit, located within the Emergency Department (ED) will provide dedicated care in a safe, secure and private setting for up to eight severely ill patients dealing with mental health and substance use issues.
Upgrades Include:
- Extra safety mechanisms to protect patients and staff
- A secure room for patients in extreme distress
- Video-conferencing facilities
- A dedicated area for children and youth
Improving Admission
The triage area, where non-critical patients are assessed will also be re-designed to make it easier for triage staff to observe all patients, provide improved security to protect staff and patients and enable enhanced infection control practices.
Upgrades include:
- Piped oxygen in the waiting area for easier patient access
- An ECG-testing space
- A security admissions booth
- Private patient assessment area