The recent addition of two new psychiatrists at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) have allowed for the return of outpatient psychiatry clinics at the Wallaceburg hospital.
CKHA said the mental health clinics were put on hold a few years ago because of a lack of specialists, but they are back now to compliment the weekly Rapid Access to Addiction Medicine (RAAM) clinic in Wallaceburg.
The outpatient psychiatry clinics will operate every Tuesday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Wallaceburg site in room 102. A physician referral is required to access this service.
“We are pleased to now offer outpatient psychiatry clinics at our Wallaceburg Site and further reduce barriers for individuals in Wallaceburg and the surrounding area who require these services,” said CKHA President Lori Marshall. “This latest announcement builds on our momentum of redevelopment at this site and reaffirms our commitment to program and service delivery.”
The RAAM clinic continues to operate every Tuesday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Wallaceburg hospital.
Hospital officials said the two psychiatry positions were vacant for several months and recruitment of a new physician can take between six and 18 months or more.
“The addition of outpatient psychiatry clinics at our Wallaceburg Site will broaden CKHA’s delivery of evidence-based mental health and addictions care. Our Mental Health and Addictions team is well-established as a leader in mental health care and best practice; individuals requiring these services will receive safe, high quality care in an appropriate setting,” said CKHA Chief of Staff Dr. Pervez Faruqi.
CKHA Chief of Psychiatry and Program Medical Director of Mental Health and Addictions Dr. Dele Oyebode said the outpatient psychiatry clinics in Wallaceburg will offer clients comprehensive mental health services provided by an on-site psychiatrist and members of the care team.
"I am so pleased our Mental Health and Addictions team can provide these important services closer to home for patients and families in Wallaceburg and the surrounding area,” he said.
CKHA also noted the Wallaceburg hospital redevelopment will continue to focus on the community’s emerging health care needs with the current services today and into the future, including the following:
- • 24 hour Emergency Department
- • 5 inpatient beds adjacent to the Emergency Department • Ambulatory Care including specialty clinics • Diagnostic Imaging including radiology and ultrasound • Respiratory therapy • Physiotherapy • Laboratory services (Point of Care testing)
To learn more about CKHA’s Mental Health and Addictions Program, click here.