KENTVILLE, N.S. – A new day hospital dedicated to intensive mental health and addictions care has officially opened in Kentville, serving the western health zone, which encompasses the Annapolis Valley, South Shore, and Southwest region.
Staffed by a team of mental health specialists, including a psychiatrist, mental health nurses, and social workers, the facility provides individualized psychiatric treatments and therapeutic group programs. Patients attend the hospital during the day and return home in the evening, allowing them to maintain their daily routines and stay connected to their support networks.
“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,” said Brian Comer, Minister of Addictions and Mental Health. “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.”
The Kentville hospital operates Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with plans to extend to seven days a week as staffing increases.
Referrals to the hospital come through community mental health clinics and emergency departments. Individuals discharged from inpatient psychiatric care may also be referred for follow-up care.
Dr. Ahmed Saleh, co-lead and Head of Psychiatry for the Western Zone Mental Health and Addictions Program at Nova Scotia Health, highlighted the importance of the new facility. “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.”
Quick Facts:
Mental health and addictions day hospitals help reduce wait times for hospital psychiatric care and increase the availability of inpatient psychiatric beds for urgent or crisis care.
This is the third day hospital to open in Nova Scotia over the last two years; the others, located in Halifax and Sydney, have had more than 3,500 visits, providing care for 290 people.
June 5 marked the one-year anniversary of the Sydney day hospital, which has had more than 1,000 visits and provided care to 74 people.
The Province is allocating approximately $1.4 million in the 2024-25 fiscal year for the Kentville day hospital.
Individuals needing treatment and care for mental health and addictions can contact the mental health and addictions intake service at 1-855-922-1122 to be matched with appropriate services.
The new day hospital in Kentville represents a significant step forward in providing accessible and comprehensive mental health and addictions care to the community.
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