The province has announced that 20 new complex care units will be constructed in Kamloops.
The units are part of over 280 units that will be built in cities and First Nation communities across BC, which were announced on Monday.
Interior Health (IH) first hinted at the fact that Kelowna and Kamloops would be getting 20 “spaces” each back in January.
At that time, IH said the complex care centres would have on-site health care and social supports designed for people who live with mental health, addiction or medical challenges and have difficulty maintaining housing.
In a news release issued April 16 BC’s Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions says the complex care units will provide people with overlapping mental-health challenges, developmental disabilities, addiction issues, trauma, and/or acquired brain injuries the care they need where they live.
Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, says that people dealing with those types of challenges are “often left behind.”
“Their complex needs can lead to a cycle of evictions, stays in shelters and repeated visits to emergency rooms,” Whiteside says.
“We’re supporting more complex-care housing, so more people can get the coordinated care they need right in their own homes, and they can live happier and healthier lives in their communities and remain connected to their support networks.”
According to the release, the services will be coordinated by health-care partners and delivered in partnership with each housing operator.
Some communities will get new stand-alone buildings while others may be combined with supportive housing or other affordable housing units.
“With the introduction of dedicated complex-care units in both Kelowna and Kamloops, our ability to provide patient-focused care is significantly increased, enabling us to address the diverse needs of those we serve with greater effectiveness and compassion,” says Ashley Halston, a social worker with Interior Health.
Susan Brown, president and CEO of Interior Health, says the new 40 units in Kelowna and Kamloops mark another step towards better support for people facing mental-health , substance and housing challenges.
According to the province, other cities that will be getting new complex care units include Abbotsford, Burnaby, Kamloops, Kelowna, Nanaimo, New Westminster, Prince George, Sechelt, Surrey, Vancouver and Victoria. The remaining 40 units will be Indigenous-led.
