New service to give rural patients access to mental health care

Island Health has launched a new service aimed at giving rural patients access to mental health care.

Called the Virtual On-Demand Urgent Psychiatry Service, it’s a program that will give adult patients access to online therapy on evenings and weekends through secure technology.

Clinical services director for acute mental health and substance use Melanee Szafron says this would allow them to give psychiatric assessments to patients in their own communities.

“It means patients can receive the right care at the right time, closer to home and their support networks,” said Szafron.

Island Health says this service will be delivered by six psychiatrists across Vancouver Island every week, with some specialists coming from Nanaimo, Port Alberni, and the South Island.

They add this comes as part of efforts to bring resources to those in need whenever in-person therapy isn’t the most available. They hope the service not only brings convenience, but also a life-changing impact to patients.

The service is referral-based and runs from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. on weekdays and 24 hours on weekends and stat holidays.

It is available to patients at the Port Hardy, Port McNeill, Lady Minto, West Coast General, and Tofino General Hospitals.