Prince Edward Island’s Health Minister has confirmed that the Provincial Addictions Treatment Facility in Mount Herbert is set to close once the new mental health and addictions campus in Charlottetown opens, raising concerns from opposition MLAs about the province’s shortage of detox beds. The Mount Herbert facility, situated near Stratford, provides day programs and inpatient detox services for individuals with addictions. These services will be relocated to the new campus near the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown upon its completion, expected in 2027.
During a legislative session, Green MLA Karla Bernard expressed surprise at the government’s decision to close the Mount Herbert facility and questioned Health and Wellness Minister Mark McLane about the rationale behind shutting down the facility. Bernard criticized the move, emphasizing the importance of having sufficient detox beds available and urged the government to retain the facility to increase the total number of detox beds in the province.
Currently, the Mount Herbert facility houses 16 detox beds, and McLane assured that all these beds will be transferred to the new acute-care campus. However, Bernard argued that the existing number of beds is inadequate and advocated for keeping the facility operational post the new campus’s completion to address the persistent shortage of detox beds on the island.
Moreover, the province disclosed that the budget for the new mental health campus has escalated, starting from an initial estimate of $100 million to over $271 million. McLane highlighted the shift towards community-based and home treatments in mental health care, emphasizing the success of programs that allow patients to receive support while remaining in their familiar environments.
In response, Bernard stressed the distinction between day programs and detox beds, asserting the need for more detox beds to cater to individuals requiring immediate withdrawal management. She emphasized that while community-based programs are valuable, they are not a substitute for dedicated detox facilities. McLane mentioned the positive feedback received for the province’s community-based withdrawal program, indicating a trend towards outpatient withdrawal management.
Overall, the debate underscores the ongoing discussion regarding the need for additional detox beds and the evolving approach towards mental health and addiction treatment, emphasizing the importance of providing timely and appropriate care to individuals seeking treatment.