A glimpse inside of Southlake’s new grownup psychological well being unit
4 min read
Newmarket hospital’s newly developed 12-mattress inpatient unit delivers area, privacy, dignity, and safety to individuals in disaster
Southlake Regional Health and fitness Centre’s new grownup inpatient psychological wellness device opened to sufferers for the to start with time this week right after decades of fundraising and design.
The device will incorporate 12 beds to the Newmarket hospital’s potential, increasing to 36 beds in total, which will enable Southlake to serve about 400 extra persons individually, for a whole of 2,000 psychological well being individuals annually.
NewmarketToday took a powering-the-scenes glimpse at the new facility and its many features, including non-public interview rooms, open exercise and dining areas, comprehensive checking and created-in security capabilities.
Southlake supervisor of psychological health outpatients Aga Dojczewska mentioned it feels great to achieve this stage.
“We were all ready for this day. It took this quite a few years to get right here,” she claimed. “Our group was very concerned to support us get to this point. This is an wonderful room.”


The provincial govt funded the new unit with $6.5 million, even though Southlake Foundation’s Far better Begins Right now marketing campaign released in Oct 2020 to raise $7.5 million for the adult inpatient unit, the emergent psychological health evaluation unit and other web page advancements toward psychological wellness treatment at Southlake.
The medical center announced Tuesday, Feb. 28 that Michael Croxon, CEO of the NewRoads Automotive Group and member of Southlake’s philanthropy cupboard, dedicated an more $500,000 to convey the campaign to a productive near.
Construction of the new unit has taken palace in excess of the very last calendar year-and-a-half, with a ribbon-slicing ceremony taking put Feb. 13. Contractors have been building the ending touches to the device, with the initial individuals on Feb. 28.


Affected individual safety and protection are developed into the new facility. Cameras watch the unit at all instances. The doors are built to guarantee workers have uncomplicated access and avoid people from barricading. Windows are reinforced and chairs in the central spot are large, loaded with sand to prevent sufferers from throwing them.


“The way the area is intended and constructed is quite unique,” Southlake director of funds advancement Nathan Robinson said, including that the partitions are also impact and moisture resistant. “Lots heading on behind the partitions as well to make absolutely sure it encourages a safe environment for the two the individuals and the personnel.”

Prevalent areas are created with brightness in mind, Southlake employees explained. An action home and lounge place have televisions. The eating location features sufficient area for activities this sort of as exercising.

The exercise room enables patients to perform collectively as a group to master, moreover do innovative ventures like artwork. Dojczewska claimed it is her favorite attribute of the new unit.
“This is an remarkable open room. This is the place individuals will be connecting,” she explained. “They like coming in. There is sunshine and there is light-weight that is flowing into the hallway, so they can appreciate the sunshine.”


Other capabilities include personal interview rooms and a washroom within just about every inpatient room. Part of the unit can also be split off and secured in case of outbreak situations.
The new device was desired with how quite a few in Newmarket essential psychological health assistance, Dojczewska explained.
“It’s a day-to-day battle. We do see a lot of sufferers coming to our department every single working day,” she said, introducing that it was impacting other departments. “This will certainly help us with offering the products and services that are needed.”
There was some disruption with the construction procedure, she additional, but people in the healthcare facility ended up very affected person with the hold off. She extra that construction moved rapid after it acquired underway.
“It’s an unbelievable addition,” she stated. “We will once again be equipped to transfer people quicker from the unexpected emergency department to an area that is correct, and harmless.
“Thank you to our group for supporting us, she extra.
