BC to open 18 long -term involuntary care beds in Metro Vancouver
The British Government has created 18 new beds dedicated to long -term involuntary care in the Metro Vancouver mental health facility.
Health Minister Josi Osborne said at a news conference on Tuesday that the new beds in the Maple Ridge, Maple Ridge, BC require involuntary care under the Mental Health Act outside the Criminal Justice System.
Osborne said, “I want to clarify that the Ulout Holmes is located next to the Alouet Reform Center, it is not the same as an involuntary care bed opened last month at the Surrey Pretty Services Center.”
“They were the beds designed for individuals, especially in custody, but are different. It is for people living with complex mental health disorders, which require long -term medical care in an atmosphere like an auxiliary house.”
BC Health Minister Josi Osborne says that the new ‘home-like’ involuntary care at the Maple Ridge is designed for individuals who are certified for long-term involuntary care under the BC’s Mental Health Act. Johnny Morris, CEO of BC Division of Canadian Mental Health Association, said that Michel Eliot, BC Today’s hosting, needs to be accurate for such care, which are eligible for such care – whether people who are carrying on the streets or are already in the system, but the need is required.
Osborne said that certified people for only long -term involuntary care are eligible to be placed in a new bed.
Dr. Daniel Vigo, Chief Scientific Advisor of BC for psychiatry, toxic drugs and concurrent disorders, said that the care given by Ulout Holmes will be the first of its kind in the province.
Vigo stated that beds offer an alternative to current setup, where patients get “uncertainly stuck in high-protection hospital units” due to lack of options.
When asked how long a patient can live in involuntary care for a long time, Vigo said the time period is “uncertain.”
He said, “As long as we think to help the person,” he said.
“It is an approved house, which means that it is a housing facility that will provide this service openly.”
Osborne said that the first people to use the new bed would go early next week.
The step came after the announcement of the 10-Units involuntary-care facility for people with drug addiction and mental health issues at the Surrey Pratial Center in April.
All the features are for detaining those who have a combination of mental health challenges, brain injuries, and anxiety concerns.
BC Premier David EB said at that time that the unit had to stop people from continuously cycling through justice system without being better.
The controversial debate has been arisen due to the link to the toxic drug crisis and public safety concerns on the subject of involuntary care for people suffering from drug addiction, mental illness and brain injuries.
Apart from BC, Ontario is also following extended involuntary treatment, while Alberta has introduced the law that will allow family members, health workers and police to apply to someone to order someone in the treatment of addictions.
On Wednesday, Federal Health Minister, Marjori Mitchell said that there is no evidence that it is effective to force people into treatment.
But Mitchell did not weigh whether the provinces should pursue such policies, saying that each Canadian has the right to treat drug addiction.
Osborne said that the BC government was reviewing the Mental Health Act to identify possible service gaps and possible solutions.
Boney Wilson, vice president of Vancouver Coastal Health, said, referral will be considered for patients outside the area to use the new bed.
While Wilson could not share specific details about patients who would be eligible for long -term involuntary care, he provided a “overall” of characteristics that would possibly be qualified.
“Just think of a young man who has been struggling with mental health for many years,” Wilson said.
During his final examinations, he began to hear voices in his head, encouraging him to end his life. After an attempt to commit suicide, he migrated to the hospital at the age of 19.
“Between then and now, he started self-healing with road medicines, like many people with mental illness, as well as many people with mental illness,” he said.
Wilson said that the new beds will provide such a patient with “opportunities to be in more natural environment” after years spent in the hospital and outside.
