Midwestern

New mental health beds for Owen Sound hospital

Grey Bruce Health Services is receiving funding for two new mental health beds at the Owen Sound hospital.

Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Bill Walker said he credits new mental health and addictions funding from his government.

"Immediate investment will help lower wait times for those in need of inpatient mental health and addictions treatment," said Walker.

He added that Thursday announcement is part of the government’s commitment to invest $3.8 billion over the next 10 years to develop and implement a comprehensive and connected mental health and addictions strategy.

Walker said the government is also consulting with health care leaders, partners, providers and experts to identify mental health and addiction needs across the province.

“We are regularly under pressure to admit more mental health patients than we have beds for, especially at this time of year when our hospitals are already overcapacity in many departments,” said Lance Thurston, president and CEO of Grey Bruce Health Services. “This temporary funding of $155,000 until March 31 will allow us to pay for two additional beds for those with mental health issues, many of whom are our most vulnerable patients. We would like to thank the provincial government for supporting patients in Grey and Bruce.”

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