NORTH BAY -- The North Bay Regional Health Centre is the preferred operator of Community Withdrawal Management Services and safe beds.
The decision was made at the mayor’s health and addictions round table and supported by round table members.
The North Bay Regional Health Centre will start the planning and development of programs including six safe beds, eight community withdrawal management service beds, two transition beds, a telephone crisis line for addictions and mental health, mobile withdrawal management services and addictions day and evening treatment.
The news comes after it was reported at a press conference earlier this month by the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions and the Ontario Health Coalition that the hospital would close 29 treatment beds, and that would translate to some job losses.
Paul Heinrich, the hospital’s President and CEO, was excited to announce this would no longer be the case.
"I’ve been smiling all day because as of this morning we were able to inform the staff, previously we issued approximately 30 position lay-off notice to our staff and we are happy to report today that we’ve cancelled that lay-off notification," Heinrich said.
"The people that really shouldn’t have been negatively impacted won’t be as a result of today’s announcement."
Heinrich says the previous services actually had low usage and the new program will have a more meaningful impact.
Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli issued this statement today in regards to the announcement,
"It’s pleasing to know that a plan for Community Withdrawal Management Services is moving forward so we can ensure those who need mental health and addictions services in our community can access them, as was prioritized by the Mayor’s roundtable. We expect all our health care professionals to work together in the best interests of clients in need."
