Chatham-Kent’s hospital is now providing two upgraded therapeutic safe spaces for patients in the inpatient psychiatry unit.
The Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) announced on Tuesday that it has unveiled two newly constructed Quiet Rooms that are designed with features to ensure patient and staff safety.
Located in the unit’s former patient dining room, these enhanced rooms include Gold Medal Safety wall and floor padding and new windows that will provide patients with a clearer view of the outdoors. As well, they each contain a bedroom, controlled entry and a shared washroom space.
The former Quiet Rooms in the unit will be renovated to create a new multi-purpose group/activity room.
“CKHA’s new Quiet Rooms offer a modern and safe, therapeutic space for patients when needed,” said Deb Crawford, chair of the CKHA Board of Directors, in a news release. “CKHA, along with its valued partners, are making significant advancements in enhancing the quality of mental health and addictions services within our community.”
The cost for construction of the Quiet Rooms was around $1.25 million, with funding provided through community donations. This included a $10,000 grant from the Chatham Kent Community Foundation, an additional $10,000 donation from an anonymous donor, as well as a total of $63,579.32 in funds raised through the Music for the Mind community event.
“The safety and wellbeing of patients on the inpatient psychiatry unit has always been near and dear to my heart, so it means a lot to me that funds raised through Music for the Mind have made this project possible,” said Elisha Banks, founder and organizer of the Music for the Mind fundraiser.
Additional funding for the project was received from CKHA’s capital budget and the provincial Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund.
