Improving CAMH's Quality of Care
The integration of addictions and mental health care that occurred in Phase 1A and that will continue throughout the Redevelopment
Project as a whole is making client care more responsive to the populations we serve.
Recognizing the co-occurrence of both addictions and mental illness, CAMH is committed to creating a system and site that
eliminates the historical barriers between these treatment systems.
Our new model of care, as outlined in our Functional Program (Introduction available online as PDF), incorporates changes in programs and services with the creation of a central hub and the consolidation
of our operations on one site. Transforming Live Here will certainly be a dramatic, visible transformation along Queen Street
West; however, the most meaningful changes will be inside.
The First Phase — Addictions and Mood & Anxiety
The four buildings of Phase 1A (shown above) are home to CAMH's Addiction and Mood & Anxiety Programs. As seen in the images
below, these new 24-bed Alternate Milieu (AM) buildings include bedrooms with private bathrooms; a quiet room to read, relax,
and receive visitors; and communal living spaces.
These home-like and comfortable units create a more supportive, therapeutic environment, empowering clients to regain independence
and assert control over their own recovery plan. The goal is to create a natural transition toward community re-integration.
To view more images and photos of Phase 1A, click here.
The flexibility of the new Mood & Anxiety AM unit will enable CAMH clinicians to make a number of specific improvements to
the quality of care we offer:
- Care and treatment tailored to the individual: The home-like setting of the new AM buildings supports a variety of approaches to recovery and community re-integration.
Some clients are able to go home on weekends, or continue to stay in the unit for support while they are re-entering the work
force or returning to school.
- A choice between private and community space: Many of the areas within our current building and site are ill-defined; not really public, but not truly private either.
The new design philosophy emphasizes choice between explicitly public and private spaces, and CAMH's programming will support
this design concept. Common kitchens and living spaces make the new AM units more comfortable for family members and friends
to visit; and these public areas will be complemented by private healing gardens and private rooms, much as one would have
in their own home.
- Integration, collaboration and learning: Locating the Mood & Anxiety Program alongside the Addictions Program creates opportunities for both staff and clients to
benefit from joint programming and each others' experience. In fact, the home-like AM setting is a long-standing feature of
CAMH's Addictions Program, which is now being applied to CAMH's other services. Co-training of Mood & Anxiety and Addictions
staff will improve our ability to help those with concurrent disorders and continue CAMH's move away from silo-style treatment.
- Peer support: The hiring of a person who has come through the system and has an intimate knowledge of recovery and care in the Mood &
Anxiety system has brought unique knowledge and expertise to CAMH's Mood & Anxiety staff and assists those currently receiving
care at CAMH.
Going Further – Future Phases
The first phase is only the beginning. As the project advances, CAMH will continue to anchor the redevelopment in how client
care will improve. Some highlights of the future improvements that this project will deliver include:
- New access to programs: CAMH will increase access to care and break down silos within CAMH and in the system as a whole. We will implement a new
Consultation, Assessment, Triage, and Support (CATS) Program that will provide standardized assessment and will direct clients
to the most appropriate program of care.
- Introduction of care facilitators: Every client will have a care facilitator responsible for ensuring they access the programs and services they need.
- New care initiatives: There will be more specialty care options, including ambulatory and day programs, home treatment programs, and care closer
to home.
- Integrated specialty programs: CAMH will restructure specialty programs to break down barriers between programs and ensure clients have access to cross-program
services. Expertise on concurrent disorders will be expanded to every program.
- Expanded research capacity and a renewed provincial role: CAMH will double its research capacity and expand education and health promotion efforts across Ontario.
Client-Centred Care
The provision of services to AM clients is based on the guidelines of a client-centered philosophy of care as expressed in
the Strategic Directions of CAMH. These include:
- A client-centered focus that reflects an active partnership between the person receiving care and the providers of care.
- This partnership recognizes that the client is a whole person with social, physical, emotional, spiritual, and psychological
needs who, wherever possible, will make informed choices about his/her care and will be an active participant in his/her care.
- This partnership extends to the participation of the client in the processes of continuous improvement.
- This partnership integrates client preferences, expressed needs, and cultural beliefs and practices with the provision of
care.
- Whenever possible, the program will work with those whom the client identifies as significant others throughout the care process.
- Whenever possible, the program will work in partnership with other service providers to ensure that care is comprehensive,
coordinated, and delivered in the appropriate environment.
- In partnership with the client, the program will strive to facilitate the individual’s achievement of his/her optimal level
of functioning and will demonstrate understanding and respect for the client’s goals in this process.
- In keeping with the CAMH's academic mission that promotes scientific examination of and research into the most effective and
efficient forms of care, the emphasis is on provision of evidence-based care.
Centre for Addiction
