Lakeridge Health and Durham Mental Health Services (DMHS) have taken an important and innovative step by voluntarily integrating their operations, effective today, October 1, 2020.

This partnership will combine Lakeridge Health’s acute mental health and addictions services with DMHS’ expertise in community-based mental health to create a regional mental health and addictions system that provides care and support to people, whether they are in the hospital, the community or a residential setting.

Lakeridge Health has seen a significant increase in mental health and addictions admissions over the last ten years. By working together, Lakeridge Health and DMHS can better coordinate services in both community and acute care settings, facilitate smoother transitions and faster connections to appropriate services, and create a supportive continuum of care for clients.

Since receiving provincial endorsement in mid-August, work has been underway to facilitate the integration. With the integration now official, efforts will continue in earnest as both Lakeridge Health and DMHS staff work together to identify and address existing gaps, eliminate unnecessary silos, and develop processes and care pathways to improve care, support and services.

Over the coming months, DMHS CEO Rob Adams will continue to play a pivotal leadership role through the transition to the integrated entity. After 30 years of growing DMHS into a leading and influential community mental health organization, Rob will step down once the amalgamation process is complete, paving the way for the new mental health and addictions system in Durham Region.

Quotes:

“We are very excited and proud of this initiative. This is an important opportunity to create a truly integrated mental health and addictions system and, by doing so, transform the way these invaluable services are delivered and accessed across the Durham Region.” Sharon Cochran, Chair, Board of Trustees, Lakeridge Health

“By bringing together the complementary mental health and addictions services of both organizations, it will be easier for people to access the services they need, in their own communities. This innovative partnership will create one coordinated mental health and addictions system that provides care and support to people, whether they are in the hospital, the community or a residential setting.” Bill Sims, Board Chair, Durham Mental Health Services

“Our enhanced system means clients will be better connected to the right services, delivered by the right people, at the right time, which will reduce unnecessary emergency room visits and overall wait times. As we move forward with this partnership, we look forward to bringing on more local service providers to build a truly complete and barrier-free system in Durham Region that creates better health outcomes for those with mental health and addictions needs.” Susan deRyk, Interim President and CEO, Lakeridge Health

“Durham Mental Health Services has long recognized the need for a single mental health and addictions system in our community. We understood that we could better meet the changing and diverse needs of our clients by joining together with Lakeridge Health’s Pinewood Centre. This partnership will open new possibilities for clients, particularly for those living with both mental health concerns and addictions.” Rob Adams, CEO, Durham Mental Health Services