A new mental health and addictions day hospital is open in Kentville.
The hospital is offering intensive mental health and addictions care for people in Nova Scotia Health’s western zone, which includes the Annapolis Valley, South Shore and Southwest region.
According to a provincial release, a team of mental health specialists provides individual psychiatric treatments and therapeutic group programs.
Patients are at the hospital during the day and return home in the evening.
People are referred through community mental health clinics and emergency departments.
Those discharged from inpatient psychiatric care may also be referred for follow-up care.
The Kentville day hospital is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and can expand to seven days a week as staffing increases.
In a statement, Minister of Addictions and Mental Health, Brian Comer says, “We are committed to providing Nova Scotians with better and easier access to mental health and addictions services, while matching them with the right level of care from the most appropriate professionals. Mental health day hospitals are an important part of the system and are helping people get better care closer to home and their support networks while being able to keep up with their regular routine.”
Co-lead and head of Psychiatry, Western Zone Mental Health and Addictions Program, Dr. Ahmed Saleh says, “The new mental health day hospital in Kentville offers an important alternative for those needing more intensive care without hospital admission. Our multidisciplinary team works closely with each person to support their mental health and well-being.”
This is the third day hospital to open in Nova Scotia over the last two years.
The others, in Halifax and Sydney, have had more than 3,500 visits, providing care for 290 people.
