Community treatment program at HDGH transitions to CKHA

REGIONAL – A community-based treatment program for individuals with severe and persistent mental illness has transitioned its operations to Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) to enhance collaboration and service delivery among local health system partners.

The Chatham-Kent Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) program, currently operated by Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare (HDGH), transitioned to CKHA as of August 1.

“One of the main objectives of this program transfer is to improve system navigation and coordination for patients, families and caregivers,” said Alan Stevenson, Vice President, Mental Health and Addictions, CKHA.

Over the last eight years, HDGH has operated the Chatham-Kent (ACT) program. Prior to this, the program was operated by Windsor Regional Hospital.

The Chatham-Kent ACT team, along with both Windsor ACT teams, provide a community-based, recovery model of care for individuals who have severe and persistent mental illness. ACT assertively reaches out to patients where and when they need help – directly in their home and in their community. Further, the ACT team coordinates service delivery with CKHA including access to acute care as required for ACT patients.

In an effort to more closely align the ACT team with CKHA’s acute care, department of psychiatry, and outpatient Mental Health and Addictions Program, the Chatham-Kent ACT program transferred its operations from HDGH to CKHA on August 1.

Both hospitals have been working with current patients of the ACT program to ensure a smooth transition.

There is no change to the program’s current location and the Chatham-Kent ACT continues to provide services at 321 St. Clair Street, Chatham.

All patients of the Chatham-Kent ACT program will continue to receive services with no planned changes or disruptions.

Patients will also continue to have access to the HDGH tertiary mental health program.