The North East Local Health Integration Network (NE LHIN) is increasing treatment services to meet the growing needs of people with addiction to opioids says a news release from the organization.
A total of $1.65 million in base funding is being spent across Northeastern Ontario to bring care closer to home for Northerners, increasing access to treatment and care coordination in NE LHIN communities.
North Bay Regional Health Centre will get $200,000 while the North Bay Recovery Home receives $130,000.
On Tuesday, January 16th, the NE LHIN launched its Opioid Strategy at a meeting of its Regional Mental Health and Addictions Advisory Council, which was instrumental in developing the strategy and will work with Opioid Task Forces within each of the North East LHIN’s Sub-Regions to implement the strategy.
The new funding will expand and create Rapid Access Addiction Medicine Clinics that provide an addictions treatment pathway between the clinic and different places where the client is likely to seek care such as emergency departments, primary care providers, mental health and addiction agencies, and withdrawal management programs. It will also enhance and expand Community Based Withdrawal Management Programs, a recommendation made to the North East LHIN by Dr. Brian Rush in his North East LHIN Addiction Services Review. Dr. Rush noted that while there are many residential treatment programs, more community day programs are needed as they bring care closer to home, allowing participants to continue to live at home.
Each sub-region received $200,000 to establish a RAAM clinic and $130,000 to enhance withdrawal management and addiction counselling.
