Lakeridge Health, Durham Regional Police Service, the Ontario Provincial Police and Region of Durham Paramedic Services have established the Durham Region Police-Hospital Committee. The health system announced the partnership on September 24, 2026, saying it will strengthen how people experiencing mental health and addictions-related crises are supported when they access emergency care.
The committee will focus on the transition that occurs when police bring a person to a Lakeridge Health emergency department for mental health assessment and treatment. The partners say they will work toward clear and consistent processes that support safety, privacy, dignity and human rights, while complying with applicable legislation.
The committee is intended to provide an ongoing forum to review emerging issues, identify ways to improve local practices, coordinate joint education and training, and evaluate police-hospital transitions over time. The partners also say the work can help identify barriers affecting timely and appropriate access to care.
Leadership representatives from Lakeridge Health, Durham Regional Police, OPP and Durham Region Paramedic Services will participate. Patient and Family Advisors and other community partners may also be invited to contribute their perspectives and expertise when appropriate; the release does not say those community participants have already been appointed.
Lakeridge Health representative Tabitha Carroll said the committee will give care providers and first responders a dedicated place to work through challenges and strengthen local practices. Durham Regional Police Chief Peter Moreira said officers are often the first point of contact for people in crisis and described coordination with health-care providers as essential to connecting them with appropriate support.
Region of Durham Paramedic Services Chief Troy Cheseboro said the forum will let partners discuss processes and identify improvements to continuity of care. OPP Inspector Jennifer Neamtz said the collaboration is intended to promote a more coordinated, person-centred response, dignity and timely access to support. The release describes these as goals of the new committee, not measured outcomes already achieved.
Source: Lakeridge Health — https://www.lh.ca/news-and-stories/posts/lakeridge-health-and-durham-region-partners-establish-committee-to-strengthen-mental-health-crisis-care
