Frequently Asked Questions

Why realign your program structure?

Offering the best possible client care is our first priority. That’s why the first direction of CAMH’s new Strategic Plan is to Enhance recovery by improving access to integrated care and social support. Realigning the way we deliver clinical service is a key way for us to improve care by unlocking greater potential at CAMH – resources, talent, service and consistency.

CAMH is building the new structure around integrated care pathways based on illness acuity and complexity –on the clinical and social needs of clients rather than by diagnosis or route of entry.

This new approach will make it easier for us to develop and implement consistent care standards and best practices across clinical services. It also allows us to maintain a focus on addiction treatment by more fully integrating mental illness and addiction services. We will fully realize the original vision behind CAMH’s merger in 1998.

Will this improve access to care and services at CAMH?

Yes. One of our main goals in realigning our services is to make them more transparent and understandable clinical services for clients, families, referring physicians, partners and other stakeholders. We will work in particular to address longstanding challenges of improving access to and transitions through care.

How will this affect referral procedures or CAMH’s points of contact such as telephone numbers?

Referral procedures and our contact information all remain the same for now. On-the-ground changes to our information systems and procedures are in the planning stages, and we will make changes only when we’re sure they won’t adversely affect client intake or care.

We will communicate any changes to referral or other information in a timely manner to our partners and stakeholders.

What does the new structure look like?

CAMH is organizing care pathways based on illness acuity and complexity - on the clinical and social needs of each patient - rather than by diagnosis.

The new structure will reflect the fact that our clients have needs that can be addressed through several different broad care pathways. It also will allow us to provide more comprehensive addiction assessment and management services to all CAMH clients.

Access & Transitions – Consolidate most of the entry points into CAMH under one leadership team responsible for access to CAMH, including the Emergency Department and other crisis clinics with entry points, and referral services (see question below on referral changes).


In addition to more centralized access, this program will work with other programs in CAMH, and with community and other healthcare system partners to create more comprehensive and holistic discharge and transition along their care pathways and into communities.


Ambulatory Care and Structured Treatments program for those who require planned, time-limited treatment.


Complex Mental Illness program including critical and crisis care as well as recovery and rehabilitation components.


A fourth program will emphasize specialized, equitable care for targeted Underserved Populations such as children, individual with dual diagnosis, and seniors

What can we expect next? How will it be implemented?

As mentioned, our first phase is to confirm the leadership structure of the new clinical organization. These leaders assumed their new roles as of September, 2012, and are now working with their managers and staff to plan and implement the next phases.

This is a highly complex change-management endeavour, and our first priority is to implement it without compromising safety for clients and staff or quality of care and service.