The Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) is spending more than $5 million this year on hospital equipment and upgrades.
CKHA President and CEO Lori Marshall said that's almost double what the hospital group usually spends on capital projects each year. Marshall noted it's the "most significant" capital investment she has seen in her time at CKHA over the past five years.
"$2.45 million that's being invested over and above our normal capital projects in order for us to really put a focus on mental health and addiction," said Marshall.
Marshall also said $1.25 million will go towards improving the mental health unit by building two quiet rooms and renovating two other existing quiet rooms. She confirms that $92,000 previously raised by the Music for the Mind fundraiser that was previously in question will go towards the quiet rooms.
"The funds raised through the Music for the Mind fundraiser is going towards the support for the renovations of the two quiet rooms on the adult mental health unit," she added. "This is a very important and much-needed initiative to enhance our mental health and addiction services."
The other $1.2 million in funding will go to the new 10-bed withdrawal management unit.
She said the remainder of the $5 million will go to upgrade information systems, diagnostics, pharmacies, and laboratories.
Marshall added that the five beds usually operating during the flu season surge has increased to 13 beds and they will now be open year-round.
