East Wing Project
This Project is Complete
St. Joseph’s Hospital is growing and changing. That’s really our tradition: changing to meet the unmet needs of the community since 1884. Read on to learn more about this $54 million capital project designed to deliver care for body, mind and spirit.
Project Highlights
- On completion, the East Wing will add 100,000 square feet of floor space, increasing the size of St. Joseph’s Hospital by 43%
- 38 private rooms for inpatient specialized mental health rehabilitation as well as common living and dining spaces to assist in the rehabilitation process
- A covered walkway from the Waterfront Parkade to the main entrance
- A new main entrance with more space to drop off/pick up clients
- Refreshed cafeteria
- A living wall and new green spaces
- Contemplation Space (spiritual space)
- Additional meeting rooms
- Expanded library including places to study and collaborate
“Construction of the East Wing at St. Joseph’s Hospital is nearly complete. This 100,000 square foot addition will help to realize our vision of providing rehabilitation (physical or mental health) in one location. This project will bring to life specialized mental health rehabilitation where clients will participate in their care in a home-like setting filled with natural light and green spaces as they gain the skills and supports needed to live well in the community with mental illness.”Tracy Buckler, President & CEO, St. Joseph's Care Group
Artist Rendering
The Journey from Institution to Community
This movement from custodial or institutionalized psychiatric care to care in the community with appropriate supports has been a long and storied journey. In fact, St. Joseph’s Care Group published From Institution to Community – A Transformation of Psychiatric Hospital Services covering the history of the Lakehead Psychiatric Hospital from 1934-2004.
In June of 1996, the Ontario Health Services Restructuring Report recommended decommissioning the Lakehead Psychiatric Hospital. Nearly 10 years after that report was issued, funding was announced for the building of a new wing at St. Joseph’s Hospital to house 38 inpatient mental health beds.
Groundbreaking for construction of the East Wing took place in June of 2015, with staff and clients expected to move into the new space early in 2018.
During the period between the Commission’s report and construction of the East Wing, there was a lot of work to be done. The transition to community means having the right programs, services, supports and housing available to people living with mental illness. Select highlights include moving outpatient mental health services to a community setting, increasing the number of medium and high-support housing spaces, and adopting a psychosocial model of rehabilitation.
The following is a timeline of key events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1996, June | The Ontario Health Services Restructuring Commission releases a report recommending the closure of the Lakehead Psychiatric Hospital, along with Hogarth/Westmount Hospital and McKellar Hospital. |
| 1997 | Franklin Manor High Support Home Opens |
| 2000 | Wilson Place Medium Support Home Opens |
| 2003, June | Lakehead Psychiatric Hospital staff divested from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to St. Joseph’s Care Group. |
| 2004 | Ward Manor High Support Home Opens |
| 2005 | Forensics Programs transfers from LPH to TBRHSC |
| 2005 | Funding announced for the building of a new wing at St. Joseph’s Hospital that will house 38 inpatient mental health beds |
| 2006 | St. Joseph’s Health Centre opens, bringing outpatient mental health care into the community. |
| 2008 | Evergreen Place High Support Home Opens |
| 2014 | Villa on Gore High Support Home Opens |
| 2015, June | Groundbreaking for Construction of the East Wing at St. Joseph’s Hospital |
| 2018 | 2 ½ years after construction began, staff and clients expected to move to the East Wing of St. Joseph’s Hospital |
| 2018 | St. Joseph’s Care Group will terminate our lease at the LPH, and will vacate the property. |
| 2018 | St. Joseph’s Care Group to develop 6 additional spaces for High Support Housing in the community. |
| 2018 | Comprehensive Community Support Team, TeamWerks and PEER Council to move to a community-based location near St. Joseph’s Health Centre. |
