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Sixteen new beds to care and treat adults struggling with mental health and substance abuse are opening in the Royal Alexandra Hospital, providing treatment for Edmonton’s inner-city community.
“By expanding mental health and substance use services at the Royal Alex, we’re making sure patients and their families have better access to treatment. These are some of Edmonton’s most vulnerable patients and we want to make sure there are stronger supports available for these individuals and their families,” said Associate Health Minister Brandi Payne.
The $15.3-million upgrade includes a new six-bed psychiatric intensive care unit on the sixth floor; a new six-bed complex medical detoxification unit; and, a four-bed safe observation and assessment area in the emergency department.
Approximately 25 patients with substance use and mental health needs visit the emergency room at the Royal Alexandra Hospital daily, totalling more than 9,000 visits a year.
Before the new beds opened, the Royal Alex had 30 mental health and substance use inpatient beds. This 50 per cent increase in dedicated beds for patients affected by substance use and mental illness will support the care of an additional 2,300 admissions at the hospital each year.