Some Windsor Regional Hospital nurses will be hitting the road with Windsor police officers over the next three months.
The Windsor Police Service and Windsor Regional Hospital have launched a pilot program to help individuals struggling with substance use disorder and related challenges.
Windsor Police Chief Jason Bellaire indicated the goal is to help the community and reduce pressures on police and hospital resources.
"The NPT program's goal is to deliver immediate care and connect individuals in need with the appropriate support services all while steering them away from the criminal justice system and hospital emergency rooms," said Bellaire.
The Nurse and Police Team will officially launch May 12 and work Fridays- Sundays between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m. The program's success will be evaluated after three months.
The nurses selected to take part in the program are from the emergency department and the mental health department.
Hospital CEO David Musyj said this would not remove needed resources from the hospital.
"If we can do things like this and be preventative and avoid these individuals coming to the emergency department that's going to free up their time, both emergency and mental health," said Musyj.
The program is being funded through a provincial grant.
Both Bellaire and Musyj believe, if successful, the program will save both institutions time and resources.