St. Joseph's Regional Mental Health Care (London and St. Thomas)

operational

Opportunity In order to better serve residents of southeastern Ontario experiencing severe and persistent mental illness, the Government of Ontario undertook the construction of two new mental health facilities—one in London and one in St. Thomas. Innovations The project was selected as eligible to receive up to $5 million in funding from Ontario’s second Green Bond issue in January 2016. Pioneered by the World Bank in 2008, green bonds are a tool to raise capital for projects with environmental benefits. Ontario’s Green Bond program is the first in Canada. It received an additional $8 million from the third issue of green bonds in February 2017. The two facilities were procured together under one Project Agreement, generating economies of scale resulting in operational efficiencies. Results Constructed adjacent to Parkwood Hospital in London, St. Joseph’s Specialized Mental Health Care facility is a 398,000 square-foot facility that accommodates inpatient and outpatient services for assessment, mood and anxiety disorders, psychosis, dual diagnosis, geriatric psychiatry, adolescent psychiatry and concurrent disorders. St. Joseph’s Forensic Mental Health Care facility in St. Thomas is a 194,000 square-foot hospital built on existing lands to replace the current facility. It provides inpatient and outpatient services for assessment, treatment and outreach and support services to individuals with mental illness who have had contact with the criminal justice system. The new hospitals better supports staff and includes a recovery model of care for patients by creating a healing environment within a neighbourhood and community setting that promotes individual growth and skill development. The public sector retains ownership and control of both new hospitals. The public sector retains responsibility for the funding and delivery of health care services. Both facilities were designed to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification.

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