QCH confirms no cuts to mental health services
Posted Nov 10, 2022 09:30:00 PM.
While one local union is stating that an Ottawa hospital is cutting mental health services and leaving patients in the lurch, hospital officials are saying they are redirecting funding into the most serious cases of mental health.
The Queensway Carleton Hospital confirmed to CityNews Ottawa that one in-house psychologist that was providing non-acute mental health care was affected by recent department changes
Melissa Coenraad, with OPSEU/SEFPO, a union which represents approximately 180,000 members across Ontario, told The Sam Laprade Show with guest host Derick Fage on Nov. 10 that the move to let go the psychologist who facilitated in-patient and outpatient group therapy is bad for people struggling with mental health issues in Ottawa.
Coenraad noted the changes come after the hospital received $9 million in funding last year to expand QCH's mental health unit.
“When you are coming for mental health challenges, then you have to seek out these resources on your own, it's a problem,” she said. “Social workers are very concerned to send these patients home with a pamphlet instead of booking them a few appointments to try and further stabilize them.”
In a statement to CityNews Ottawa, QCH officials said there has been no reduction in services overall, and the hospital continues to provide both inpatient and outpatient services.
Listen to the full interview with Melissa Coenraad below:
