BC Implements a New Model of Mental Health Care

British Columbia, Canada is launching an innovative new model for delivering specialized mental health services. To enhance the success of this progressive mental health initiative, BC's health authorities are extending an invitation to psychiatrists from outside the province to consider "Psychiatry in BC".

BC's six health authorities are working together to develop new tertiary level mental health beds throughout the province. Concurrently, the 800 traditional provincial psychiatric beds centralized at Riverview Hospital are currently being phased out, as patients transfer into new specialized, community-based facilities.

Based on a best practice standard that includes replacing large, traditional, tertiary institutions with smaller, more home-like facilities, the goal of this major system reconfiguration is to improve access and increase capacity. The provincial government has committed $138 million in capital and $125 million in operating funds in support of this new approach to care.

Some BC patients have already begun to benefit from these smaller, more personalized health care settings and the positive impact that comes from being closer to family and friends. Careful, individualized planning ensures that each transferring patient is appropriately placed. Clinical outcomes research is already underway to monitor the ability of this new model to achieve equal or better quality care outcomes for patients.


To view our career opportunities please click www.psychiatryinbc.com.