Lakeridge Health says it has launched a Bridging Clinic with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) to support people after an Emergency Department visit and connect them with continuing mental health and substance-use services.
The health system reports more than 140,000 mental health and addictions visits each year through its clinics and community services, in addition to about 11,000 Emergency Department visits related to mental health and substance use. The clinic is intended to support the transition from emergency care to longer-term services.
The clinic team includes psychiatry, nursing, addictions care, social work and peer support, with links to primary care, housing and other community services. Patients and clients may receive support for up to three months after leaving hospital.
Lakeridge Health says patients can access the clinic through a referral from its Emergency Department or care team when clinically appropriate. CAMH shared expertise from its Bridging Clinic model, launched in 2017, and will support evaluation of the new service.
The announcement says a $250,000 gift from Harry Lebovic and his daughter Rachel helped establish the clinic. Lakeridge Health says the clinic is part of broader work with CAMH, Ontario Shores and community partners to improve connections in mental health and addictions care across Durham Region.
Source: Lakeridge Health — https://www.lh.ca/news-and-stories/posts/lakeridge-health-launches-new-bridging-clinic-developed-in-partnership-with-camh
