Waypoint’s Outpatient Services Program will soon be on the move to a one-floor, fully accessible building located on the grounds of the Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) Midland site. The move to the empty building formerly used by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit allows Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care (Waypoint) to realize a long standing dream of an accessible location for clients.
“Partnering with GBGH and the on-site location creates many new benefits for our clients, and is another step in our collaboration with other health care providers,” said Carol Lambie, Waypoint President and CEO. “Not only is the building fully accessible, it’s close to the hospital, a major medical centre and the new Health Unit location. It also continues to be on both the Midland and Waypoint bus routes and provides ample outdoor green space that doesn’t exist in the current location.”
Currently Waypoint’s Outpatient Services are located in a three-story office building in downtown Midland. The downtown location has its advantages including being situated right across the street from Waypoint’s HERO Centre. However, services are located on three floors with client clinical treatment areas on the lower basement level, requiring the use of stairs. While a lift system is available, staff is required to assist in its operation, creating a barrier for independently accessing the program.
The Outpatient Program serves people from the community who need varying levels of mental health support. The services are geared to supporting clients and their families in managing their illness and continuing on the recovery journey. The inter-professional team includes psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, an occupational therapist, community support staff, peer supporters and administrative support.
“GBGH is always looking to further our partnerships in order to benefit patients and this move will do just that for clients of Waypoint,” said GBGH President and CEO, Paul Heinrich. “We are happy to be able to offer this new location for these important community services expanding the range of health care services on site. The co-location will also be an asset for patients who will be cared for in the acute mental health in-patient unit we are planning for here at GBGH.”
Once renovations on the new site are complete, it will offer more suitable group rooms, improved treatment space and modern office space for a collaborative team approach. With a future 20-bed Schedule 1 acute mental health unit planned for GBGH, the new location is ideal and will provide close access and opportunities for patients transitioning to community services. It’s anticipated the program will move to its new location before the end of the year.
In the below photo: Paul Heinrich, GBGH President and CEO hands over the key to the former health unit building at the Midland site to Ruth Cameron (centre), Director of the Outpatient Program and Carol Lambie, Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care President and CEOPaul Heinrich, GBGH President and CEO hands over the key to the former health unit building at the Midland site to Ruth Cameron (centre), Director of the Outpatient Program and Carol Lambie, Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care President and CEO.
