April 16 2019

This is to provide an update on the measures St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton is taking to ensure that Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES) is providing a safe and healthy environment for everyone – our dedicated staff, doctors, residents, volunteers and learners, as well as our patients and their families.

We have heard the concerns of the clinical team and our patients and families, and recognize that we must do better and will therefore implement the following changes as soon as possible.

We are working to:

1. Develop a clear and timely plan to expand and redevelop Psychiatric Emergency Services. This was being developed already, but the speed at which it is being done will be accelerated. We will expand Psychiatric Emergency Services into the adjacent space where the Fracture Clinic is currently, and move the Fracture Clinic to space in Level One of the Charlton site, also resulting in other moves to accommodate. This will require a great deal of planning and redevelopment work. As well, additional interview space has been reassigned for use by Psychiatric Emergency Services. Ms Karen Langstaff, Acting Vice President, Acute Programs and Complex Care, will lead this.
2. Continue to address safety concerns. We have increased security and enhanced our search protocols for the safety of everyone.
3. Continue efforts to improve the timely admission of patients from Psychiatric Emergency Services to an inpatient bed. With recent pressures, hallway medicine has become an issue in mental health. We are committed to improvement and this work is being led by Dr. Peter Bieling, Interim Vice-President of Mental Health and Addiction.
4. Have an external review done on Psychiatric Emergency Services at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton by leaders in the field. Interim Chief of Staff Dr. David Russell will lead the review process and implementation of recommended improvements.

We continue to work closely with our partners at McMaster University and the community, as our common goal is to ensure we are creating the highest quality and safest clinical and teaching psychiatric emergency services possible.

Our success requires strong teamwork. Our sincere thanks to the many people who are working to provide excellent care every time.

From: Dr. Tom Stewart, CEO, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton
          Ms Winnie Doyle, Interim President
          Dr. Maxine Lewis, Chief of Psychiatry, SJHH
          Dr. Peter Bieling, Interim Vice-President Mental Health and Addictions