Ontario’s Ministry of Health has given its blessing to a proposed 10-bed residential withdrawal management program at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance.
“This a significant milestone for CKHA and Chatham-Kent in regards to evidence-based addiction care and recovery,” said Lori Marshall, President and CEO, CKHA. “I am so pleased that our proposal has received the green light and operational funding from Ontario Health and we can take our next steps towards implementing a 10-bed Residential Withdrawal Management unit at CKHA.”
As part of the renovation project, two so-called “quiet rooms” will be relocated and modernized and a therapy space and dining room upgraded.
The entire project is estimated to cost $1.3 million for renovations plus yearly operating costs.
““Addiction and substance abuse can impact anyone, which is why it is so critical Chatham-Kent has the resources needed to combat it,” said Monte McNaughton, MPP for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex. “Our government’s investment in the Residential Withdrawal Management program at CKHA will ensure help is available to families when it’s needed most.”
Today’s announcement brings $100,000 in start-up funding for furnishings and equipment and ongoing operational costs, however CKHA must look to other sources for the remaining capital costs of the renovations.
The municipality recently agreed to contribute one-time funding of $500,000 for the program.
During the 2020/21 fiscal year, 186 Chatham-Kent residents were admitted to withdrawal management programs in Windsor or Sarnia, a 9% increase over the previous year. In that same time period, 562 patients were seen in the Chatham or Wallaceburg Emergency Department with a primary diagnosis of substance use disorder.
Ultimately, the 10-bed unit will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week at CKHA’s Chatham Site in the former outpatient mental health services building which currently houses administrative offices.
The organization’s Rapid Access to Addictions Medicine (RAAM) Clinic will also re-locate to this location once the renovations are complete. The cost of renovations are estimated to be $1.1 million.
While construction is being completed, a 3-bed unit will be operating within the hospital and is expected to be accepting patients prior to March 31st.