ONTARIO INCREASES FUNDING FOR GRAND RIVER HOSPITAL’S NEW MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM AT FREEPORT

Province to provide an additional $1.6 million in capital funding

Kitchener - Kitchener MPP’s John Milloy and Leeanna Pendergast announced an additional $1,606,467 in provincial funding for Grand River Hospital’s Mental Health Expansion at its Freeport site. The announcement, made at an event to celebrate the project’s construction launch, brings the province’s total support for the project up to almost $13.6 million.

The Freeport mental health project will provide 50 new beds and programs for mental health patients in our region. The program will serve patients needing to stay in hospital for longer periods of time for treatment of a mental illness, eliminating their need to travel to London for specialized care.

The expansion includes:

• A new 10 bed psycho-geriatrics assessment unit for elderly patients with a mental illness;

• A new 33 bed unit for patients with a severe and persistent mental illness, as well as a seven bed transition unit; and

• The development of onsite mental health outpatient and outreach services, including day programs that will support mental health patients who have received in-patient treatment and continue to need support as they live independently in the community.

Construction of the 9,000 square foot expansion is expected to take about 24 months.

“Our government has made improving access to mental health and addiction services a significant priority across the province,” said John Milloy, MPP Kitchener Centre. “This project will ensure patients in our community have access to specialized mental health programs and services close to their family and other supports.”

"Mental illness and addiction affects many people in Ontario." said Leeanna Pendergast, MPP for Kitchener-Conestoga. "This funding will reaffirm the Ontario government's commitment to ensuring that people struggling with serious mental issues and addiction can easily access the services and support they need."

"The Government of Ontario has provided strong financial support for our expansion at Grand River Hospital's Freeport Site as well as on-going redevelopment of the Kitchener-Waterloo Site," said Malcolm Maxwell, president and CEO of Grand River Hospital. "We appreciate our on-going partnership in meeting the care needs of Waterloo Region residents."