REGINA - The province has announced that the remaining 40 inpatient treatment spaces are now available at the new addictions treatment centre near Lumsden.
The announcement was made by Mental Health and Addictions Minister Lori Carr that the second phase at the EHN Willowview Recovery Centre began on April 1. That is in addition to the first 20 beds which opened in January. The facility is operated privately by EHN Canada.
"The best help that we can give someone who finds themself struggling with an addiction, is to offer them a path to recovery," Carr said in a statement. "These inpatient treatment spaces are open to residents across our province. Patients will receive holistic, wrap-around addictions treatment for up to 16 weeks to support their recovery journey."
"We are incredibly proud to provide life-changing mental health and addiction treatment to those who need it most," said EHN COO Christina Basedow in a statement.
"This milestone represents not only the culmination of dedicated work and partnership, but also a powerful step forward for the province. Saskatchewan continues to demonstrate national leadership by investing boldly in mental health and addiction services, and we are deeply honoured to work alongside the government to bring hope, healing, and recovery to individuals, families, and communities across the province."
“The Saskatchewan Health Authority is committed to strengthening mental health and addictions services across the province to ensure timely, appropriate access to care,” Integrated Regina Health Mental Health and Addictions Executive Director Zoe Teed-McKay said in a news release.
“Individuals who are facing addiction challenges are our friends and family members; they live in our communities. Having all 60 of these addictions treatment spaces now open for in-patient service delivery will enhance existing services, reduce wait times, and help more of those people we care about receive the treatment they need to overcome addictions and live healthy, safe lives in recovery.”
The opening of all 60 beds comes after months of criticism from the opposition New Democrats about delays to the opening of the Lumsden facility. The initial announcement last January, 2024 had projected a spring 2024 opening for the treatment centre. But the opening of all 60 beds had been delayed for months, which according to the province were due to building enhancements were required by the RM for fire safety.
The facility did open to what was described as "intensive day treatment care" last October, with services provided on-site during the day and staff available for on call support after hours.
The province says that to date, 264 of the 500 new spaces under Saskatchewan's Action Plan for Mental Health and Addictions are now available to Saskatchewan residents.
