Operational Readiness for Mental Health Stabilization Unit at the New St. Paul’s Hospital

St. Paul’s Hospital is starting to plan for how patients will be cared for in the new St. Paul’s Hospital. This includes planning for new services and for services that may be changing.

The Mental Health Program is looking for patient and family partners to participate in planning for a new Mental Health Stabilization Unit that will begin operating with opening of the new hospital, estimated to be Spring 2027. The Stabilization Unit will serve people with mental illness, sometimes combined with other challenges such as substance use disorders, acquired brain injury, poverty, homelessness, and other social determinants impacting health. The majority of patients coming to the Stabilization Unit will arrive via Emergency.

Patient and family partners will participate in planning for this new service by providing input and feedback on current plans. This will include:
– Input and feedback on how patients and families can be be supported during transitions of care (e.g. from the Emergency Department to the Stabilization Unit)
– Input and feedback on the important components of care to create a safe and therapeutic environment

Honoraria will be provided ($25/hour).

Level of Engagement

This opportunity is at the level of Involve on the IAP2 Spectrum of Public Participation.

Eligibility

• Willing & comfortable to share health care experiences in a group setting
• Specific health care experiences [details below]
• Have access to technology and the internet to participate in the engagement opportunity
• Experience accessing care in the hospital setting in a mental health program, either at St. Paul’s Hospital or another hospital. This includes coming to the Emergency Department for treatment of a mental health issue.

Patient Partners ARE NOT required to be PVN members to participate in this engagement opportunity.

Health Care Partner Contact Information

Sharon Marmion
Patient Resident Care Manager, Mental Health Program | Providence Health Care
(604) 682-2344
smarmion1@providencehealth.bc.ca