The psychiatry unit at Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) has a new therapeutic space.
CKHA has announced two new and enhanced quiet rooms to eliminate outside stimulus and exterior stressors for inpatients. The rooms are designed with features that ensure patient and staff safety, said CKHA.
“This project aligns with our Strategic Plan and specifically speaks to our goal; Reduce preventable harm through a focus on increased risk management and safety. These enhanced Quiet Rooms also support our goal to improve access to evidence-based mental health and addictions care,” said CKHA CEO Lori Marshall. “Along with our new Withdrawal Management Service and co-located Rapid Access to Addiction Medicine Clinic, we continue to make significant strides in regards to quality mental health and addiction services in our community.”
CKHA said the quiet rooms will provide better visibility to monitor the occupants of each room, improving security and safety for both patients and staff.
The rooms each contain a bedroom with one shared ante room, controlled entry, and a shared washroom space, according to hospital officials. They also have a padded wall and floor padding to ensure a safer environment for patients, protecting them from injury in a safe and humane manner.
An enhanced bed model, improved HVAC systems, and new windows will also give patients a clearer view of the outdoors, CKHA added.
The old quiet rooms will be renovated into a new multi-purpose group/activity room for the patients.
"CKHA, along with its valued partners, are making significant advancements in enhancing the quality of mental health and addictions services within our community," said CKHA Board of Directors Chair Deb Crawford.
The project was made possible by the significant support from local donors and organizations, Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Foundation, a $10,000 grant from the Chatham-Kent Community Foundation, an additional $10,000 donation from an anonymous donor, and a total of $63,579.32 raised through Music for the Mind.
“Our donors and community members have shown that they recognize the pressing need for enhanced mental health services here in our community, and we are so grateful for the significant financial support that we have received for our Mental Health & Addictions Program over the past couple of years,” said CEO of CKHA Foundation Christine Mitchell. “We feel very privileged to be able to contribute to the completion of these new Quiet Rooms, and we know that these therapeutic spaces will have a real impact on the safety and care delivered to local patients who need it.”
CKHA provided additional funding for the two quiet rooms from its capital budget and the provincial Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund.
“The safety and wellbeing of patients on the inpatient psychiatry unit has always been near and dear to my heart, so it means a lot to me that funds raised through Music for the Mind have made this project possible,” said founder and organizer of the Music for the Mind fundraiser Elisha Banks. “So many people have supported the fundraiser over the years, and it is very exciting to get to witness the unveiling of these Quiet Rooms and the other enhancements on the unit that this support has enabled. When we work together towards a shared goal, we can accomplish so much.”