Renovations are underway at the emergency departments in both of Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare’s (MAHC) hospital sites in an effort to create a safer environment for patients, the organization said in a release today.
With funds from the Huntsville Hospital Foundation and South Muskoka Hospital Foundation, as well as support from donors, MAHC will “create two purpose-built secure rooms that protect patients at high risk of violence and/or harm to themselves or others. These two secure rooms will be built within the existing departments at each site over the next several months and will include dedicated washrooms and a secure, common viewing area,” reads the release.
“The most acutely ill people come to the Emergency Department but these departments also tend to be chaotic by nature,” emergency medical director, Dr. John Simpson, is quoted as saying. “It is important that we have spaces that meet our patients’ different needs and also support and help facilitate compassionate care whether for trauma, fractures, infectious diseases, or anyone experiencing a crisis that could be at a high risk of violence or harm to themselves or others.”
A working group investigated ways to improve safety with respect to violence and aggression, adds the release, and the organization involved people with lived experience, local first responders and other community partners in designing and preparing for the projects.
The renovations may lead to greater congestion and longer wait times at the emergency departments and MAHC recommends that patients see their family doctor or nurse practitioner for non-urgent care. The work is expected to be complete by May 2019.
Katherine Craine, executive director at Huntsville Hospital Foundation thanked the hospital board and seasonal residents for supporting the project during last summer’s annual S.S. Bigwin Gala.
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This is, indeed, excellent news! To have four rooms available between Orillia and North Bay for persons with mental health disabilities could be a lifesaver; literally. And considering that violent patients would usually be sent to Waypoint, in Penetanguishene, it presents a significant difference in distance, and consequently ambulance/police costs. I do realize that all the room occupants will not belong to the group I mentioned, but I foresee that for more than 50% of the time, that will be the case.