Youth psychiatry unit being added to Saint John hospital

SAINT JOHN (GNB) – The government is committing $6.3 million for the construction of an in-patient psychiatry unit for children and youth at the Saint John Regional Hospital.

There are currently no such beds in the Saint John area. As a result, young patients who must be hospitalized for psychiatric needs are being admitted to ordinary pediatric units, adult psychiatry units or transferred to facilities elsewhere in the province.

“This investment fills a long-standing gap in mental health services for young people in the Saint John region,” said Justice Minister Robert McKee, who is also minister responsible for addictions and mental health services. “Children and youth deserve access to the care they need, close to home, in a setting designed specifically to meet their needs.”

The new unit will have five beds, providing immediate, specialized, trauma-informed treatment and ensuring patients receive care while maintaining family and community connections.

Implementing regional in-patient youth psychiatric care was a priority initiative in the Inter-Departmental Addiction and Mental Health Action Plan. A model of care was developed by Horizon Health Network, outlining the infrastructure, staffing and programming needs for the Saint John region.

“The addition of these in-patient psychiatric beds at Horizon’s Saint John Regional Hospital will ensure young people receive the expert, trauma-informed care they need during their most vulnerable moments, while allowing their families and support networks to remain close by,” said Margaret Melanson, Horizon Health Network’s president and CEO. “We’re grateful to be working with government to bring this essential service to the Saint John region, filling a long-standing gap and ensuring families no longer have to travel long distances when their child requires this level of care.”

The Department of Health will work with Horizon Health Network to establish working groups that will oversee various aspects of the project, such as planning for construction and implementing the model of care.