Lack of Mental Health Supports in Dartmouth - Member Statement

MS. CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Mental Health Week. In particular I'd like to draw attention to the lack of mental health supports in my own community of Dartmouth South and indeed in all of Dartmouth.

For some time now - it just came to my attention this morning - the Dartmouth General Hospital has not had any in-patient acute mental health care. Those services are consolidated for the Capital District at the QEII. I recognize that it's important to have some consolidation of service in our main hospitals, Mr. Speaker. I also think it's important for community hospitals to be able to treat the people who turn to them for care. This is especially true for ours, which serves over 100,000, many of whom have poor social determinants of health which often result in a higher incidence of mental health issues.

Right now, Mr. Speaker, someone who presents with an acute mental health issue at the Dartmouth General emergency room must be medically cleared and then wait until there is space at the QEII for a bed. They cannot get a consult and too often they end up released with community follow-up, due to lack of space when they ought to be admitted.

It's a shame, Mr. Speaker, that we are not taking care of the mental health needs of the people in Dartmouth.

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