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2020 Accomplishments

  • In 2020, significant progress was made on the Red Fish Healing Centre for Mental Health and Addiction, which opens in fall 2021. We engaged with partners including health authorities, BC Housing and the Kwikwetlem First Nation, upon whose ancestral territory the centre is located, to ensure that every aspect of the facility was built with patient needs in mind. We also created a new, evidence-based model of care, which will guide all aspects of treatment at Red Fish.
  • Throughout 2020, we managed two coinciding pandemics—COVID-19 and the toxic drug crisis. Given the unique nature of our mandate and patient population, teams were required to continue providing full services while taking all precautionary measures to prevent the introduction of COVID-19. Incident Command Centres were established at all sites, reporting up to the BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services Emergency Operations Centre to quickly and effectively manage the response. Through these processes and in collaboration with regional health authorities, we minimized the transmission of COVID-19 in our facilities. 
  • We also successfully completed a COVID-19 vaccination campaign for patients and clients across the province.
  • In September, 2020, CST (clinical systems transformation) went live at the Heartwood Centre for Women. This follows the successful implementation at Burnaby Centre for Mental Health and Addiction in December 2019. CST has been transforming health care systems and processes to improve the safety, quality and consistency of patient and client care.
  • Engagement with patients, clients and family members allows us to co-design a health care system that meets the needs of patients and their families. That’s why increased patient and client involvement in all aspects of our work is a key priority.  In August 2020, we launched the Patient and Family Engagement Framework, an evidence-based resource for staff, physicians and researchers to involve patients as active partners in decision-making. We also launched the Partnerships in Care Committee to engage clients and families at all levels of care. This was awarded “Leading Practice” status by the Health standards Organization.
  • We held our inaugural Research Days event in 2020, bringing researchers, health care professionals, patients, families, and leadership together virtually,to celebrate research excellence at BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services. A number of topics contributed to a dynamic week of conversation and knowledge exchange as part of our commitment to building capacity around the province. All sessions are available to watch.
SOURCE: 2020 Accomplishments ( )
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