The Ontario Government in Canada has announced the construction of a new mental health unit at Joseph Brant Hospital for the Burlington community.

This initiative aims to improve access to mental health and addiction support services by providing a larger space for both inpatient and outpatient services.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford said: “This new mental health unit will complement the incredible work Joseph Brant’s hardworking doctors, nurses, and other staff do every day to provide high-quality care to the people of Burlington and the surrounding area.

“I’m pleased that our government’s investment will support this work as part of our $50 billion worth of investments in more than 50 hospital projects province-wide, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on the community.”

The new mental health unit will feature an adult outpatient area designed to enhance clinical flow.

Additionally, the project includes a better adult psychiatric intensive care space to foster patient-centred care and safety.

The unit will also offer interdisciplinary teams comprising nurses, physicians, social workers, psychiatrists, and recreation therapists.

These professionals will collaborate to address complex care needs and provide comprehensive services, including psychiatric assessment, crisis intervention, treatment, and stabilisation.

Furthermore, the unit will include improved child and youth programming and infection prevention and control measures.

This aligns with the hospital's commitment to delivering timely mental health and addiction care to more patients and their families.

Ontario Health Minister and Deputy Premier Sylvia Jones said: “All Ontarians deserve to have convenient access to the care they need, when they need it, no matter where they live.

“By building a new mental health unit at Joseph Brant, our government is ensuring families in the Burlington region have faster access to mental health and addiction support services for years to come.”

The ministry is currently collaborating with Joseph Brant Hospital to finalise the project’s early planning and design phase.

The construction schedule will be determined following the completion of future planning and once the project is tendered and awarded.