4. Embedding mental health and home care in primary care
- Date: 2023-10-25
- Concurrent Session: Concurrent Session B & C
- Time: 1:15 - 3:00 pm
- Room:
- Style: Panel Discussion (in addition to providing information, panelists interact with one another to explore/debate a topic)
- Focus: Balance between both (e.g. Presentation of a best-practice guideline that combines research evidence, policy issues and practical steps for implementation)
- Target Audience: Leadership (ED, clinical lead, board chair, board member, etc.), Clinical providers, Administrative staff, Representatives of stakeholder/partner organizations
Learning Objectives:
- The importance of a collective strategy in identifying community needs when preparing for funding.
- Collaboration when working with multiple organizations builds trust that will help establish a functional model of care.
- How the funding enabled the clinics to serve their local communities through strategic partnerships.
- A practical guide to develop a Community Mental Health & Addictions Clinic (C-MAC).
Summary/Abstract:
The Canadian healthcare system is facing unheard of backlogs with people seeking mental health services. As one in five people will experience mental health issues during their life, the pressures both rural and urban communities are facing has been difficult for practitioners and family health teams to navigate. Additionally, the need for adequate ministry funding is critical when establishing a functional model of care that will address different communities in dire need of mental health support, addiction care and more. Preparedness is key: community strategic planning will allow clinics to not only determine where the money will best be used from the offset, but it will enable them to best serve their local organizations that also serve the community. Proper preparation will allow the primary care team to:
- Reduce strain on emergency departments for low acuity mental health and addictions visits.
- Improve service navigation and warm transfers for clients seeking care.
- Increase capacity for local organizations to provide mental health and addictions supports.
During this session, Chris Cassolato (Two Rivers Family Health Team Inc.), Jeff Poll (Grandview Medical Family Health Team), and Beth Cowper-Fung (Georgina Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic) will delve deep into their respective experiences accessing funding for their clinics, the different approaches they used for helping their communities, and the development of a Community Mental Health & Addictions Clinic (C-MAC).
Presenter:
- Chris Cassolato Executive Director Two Rivers Family Health Team
- Jeff Poll Executive Director Grandview Medical Centre Family Health Team
- Beth Cowper-Fung Clinic Director Georgina Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic
- Angela Picot Project Manager Colliers Project Leaders