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And, he notes, that an active day hosâ€" pital for psychiatric patients at OTMH is just part of an overall trend in medicine to reduce costly hospital admissions. By DIANE HART Special to the Beaver Bed closures have not hurt ‘ service to psychiatric patients B espite the permanent closure of D 16 psychiatric beds at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital and the dismantling of its inâ€"house psyâ€" chiatric program, OTMH‘s chief psychiâ€" atrist promises patients better and easier access to medical services. Dr. Erhard Busse â€" chief of psychiaâ€" try â€" says the expanded day hospital established at OTMH in January of this year actually gives better access to patients than the former policy of hospiâ€" tal admission. Speaking to the Board of Governors of OTMH Tuesday, Busse called the program a "resounding success" since its inception in January of this year; a success he believes is largely dependent on the strong community network built up over the years. The day hospital uses the same numâ€" ber of resources and operates during the day for those patients in need of a wide range of services from lengthy therapy sessions to short hourâ€"long sessions with the psychiatric staff. Although the same intense level of service has remained constant. there is little need to eat or sleep at the hospital. "The old formula of beds and serâ€" vices won‘t work anymore. And it‘s not just psychiatry. All of medicine is saying it won‘t work anymore," said Busse. The program has resulted in the perâ€" manent closure of 16 beds at the hospiâ€" tal. It now leaves them with 15 beds from an original 31. But Busse said the creation of the day hospital allows them to serve more patients with the same resources. Busse noted that the bed closures and the establishment of the day hospital on 4â€"East has created a "seamless service" in the community â€" one that depends more on a strong community support network and less on hospital admissions and medication. "I like this reâ€"structuring. I think this is the way medicine should go," he said. Historically, the major problem facâ€" ing a psychiatric patient is a chronic one in medicine these days â€" access. "‘There really was no other way to help the patient other than admitting," said Busse, adding there was a three to six month long waiting list to see a psyâ€" chiatrist in private practice. "It was the one big crack in our serâ€" vice. With this (day hospital), we have eliminated that crack," he said. The major benefit to patients, said Busse, is easier access to medical serâ€" vices. There is still the option of admitâ€" tance, but also access to a 24â€"hour crisis nurse and a new case manager working Loans * Line of Credit 1st, 2nd 3rd mortgages Residential Commercial Plazas/Apt./Oflice Bldgs. Up to 95% Financing NO Upâ€"Front Fees Inâ€"Home.or Office Consultation 6 Days, 9 a.m.â€"9 p.m. OTMH chief psychiatrist In a letter to Jean Simpson â€" Mental Health Branch of the Ministry of Health â€" Busse said the program was working well. We have moved a long way from the knee jerk response of hospitalization and medication in order to deal with acute crises via problem solving and rapid rehabilitation...‘ patient may still be admitted, but can also return the next day to the day hospiâ€" tal for consultation, therapy, and a host of other personalized services. As well, the case manager in the community can be consulted, who can then. place the patient into community services. He also said that overâ€"admission of psychiatric patients historically led to fostering a feeling of helplessness and dependency among patients. In the past three months, which Busse noted are traditionally the heaviâ€" est for the psychiatric staff, the 15 remaining beds have not been overburâ€" dened. In a later interview, Busse acknowlâ€" edged they began the project with some trepidation. ‘"‘Whenever you make a big change, you expect to get a black eye. But so far, no black eye. And these are our heaviest months." "There has been no bed shortage in three months," said Busse. Busse said other hospitals have simiâ€" lar day hospitals, although none have serviced the former inâ€"patient populaâ€" tion. "But we spent years and years setâ€" ting up the network (in the community), and it is what has made this possible," he said. Noting there are 230 schizophrenics in Oakville alone, Busse said there is a constant need for services to address the needs of these and other psychiatric patients. He noted in his report to the Dr. Erhard Busse bound to be a fan of Matteo Maas. Their style is your style is a new Garvey‘s style. In sportcoats or suits, Matteo Maas brings out your European spirit. If you‘re a fan of Tom Cruise or Arsenio Hall, you‘re Kindred Spirits: Matteo Maas and Garvey‘s in the communi- ty. If a psychiâ€" atric _ patient arrives at the emergency department, the crisis nurse is called and evaluâ€" ates the severity of the case. The DOWNTOWN OAKVILLE 183 LAKESHORE RD. E. 845â€"8911 DOWNTOWN BURLINGTON 389 BRANT STREET 639â€"6165 Open Thurs. Fri. until 9 p.m. mEN‘s®# s H oPs board, there is an expanding population; little chance of additional government funds; the need to ‘empower‘ patients rather than the historical ‘entitlement‘ to services which can often lead to excesâ€" sive dependence; a need to rapid access to services to identify crises in the early stages prior to relying on admission as the only viable option; the need to remain current with provincial policies dictating a move towards community services and out of hospital care. T __ FASTEST DELIVERY 33. IN THE WEST Chicken never tasted so fresh! 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