WHITBY, ON, March 18, 2014 /CNW/ - Children and adolescents will no longer need to travel out of country for treatment with the opening of a new 12-bed Eating Disorders Unit at Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences (Ontario Shores). The Honourable Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care was at Ontario Shores to announce funding for this first-of-its-kind program in Ontario.
"Approximately 32,400 young people are affected by eating disorders in Ontario," says the Honourable Deb Matthews. "Until recently, Ontario sent many youth to the United States for treatment. Now, children and adolescents will be able to receive the specialized care they need much closer to home."
The unit is scheduled to open this fall. It will have an interprofessional model of care that includes individual, family and group therapy, psycho-education, meal support, nutrition and eating rehabilitation and psychopharmacologic treatment. There will be a pre-admission process, post-discharge support and planning for transition home. Parent and family involvement is a key component of the clinical programming. During their time at Ontario Shores, patients will also have access to teachers who can assist with their education needs.
"Ontario Shores is extremely excited to open a new 12-bed unit to help children, adolescents and their families who are struggling with eating disorders," says Ontario Shores President and CEO Karim Mamdani. "Today's announcement demonstrates our joint commitment to advance the mental health care system and ensure people have access to the programs and services they need within their communities."
Construction of the new unit is currently underway. The new unit will include individual patient bedrooms, kitchen, dining room and lounge area. There will also be group rooms and spaces for patient, family and group therapy.
The program will provide care to children and adolescents from across the Province. This new unit is geared to youth who are medically stable and require an intensive inpatient setting. Referrals to this program will be accepted from physicians, nurse practitioners, acute care hospitals and Emergency Departments. Ontario Shores will begin accepting referrals in mid-July.
For more information about this new program, please contact a health professional in our Adolescent Services Department at 905.430.4055 ext. 6010.
About Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences:
Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences (Ontario Shores) is a leader in mental health care, providing a range of specialized assessments and treatment services for people living with complex mental illness. Patients benefit from a recovery-oriented environment of care, built on compassion, inspiration and hope. Ontario Shores engages in research, education and advocacy initiatives to advance the mental health care system.
Image with caption: "Children and adolescents will no longer need to travel out of country for treatment with the opening of a new 12-bed Eating Disorders Unit at Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences (Ontario Shores). The Honourable Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care was at Ontario Shores March 18 to announce funding for this first-of-its-kind program in Ontario. (CNW Group/Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140318_C5861_PHOTO_EN_38099.jpg
SOURCE: Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences
Andrea Marshall
Manager, Communications and Public Affairs
Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences
905-430-4055 ext. 6581
Cell: 905-439-0224
[email protected]
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