Annual Report 2022-2023: Scarborough Health Network (SHN)

Submitted by Dr. Ilan Fischler, Chief and Medical Director of Psychiatry

From transformative care to community collaborations, 2022-23 has been an exciting year for the Mental Health program at Scarborough Health Network (SHN). We have been enriching care through new services and partnerships, and are starting development of new infrastructure and academic programming that will be a game-changer for our community.

In fall 2022, SHN joined Ontario Shores, CMHA Toronto and Durham to create an integrated care pathway for schizophrenia patients to provide seamless transition from hospital to community. SHN has also been supporting partners with specialized psychiatric care — including embedding a transitional age psychiatrist in U of T Scarborough’s Wellness Centre; a geriatric mental health outreach nurse and geriatric psychiatrist on a new Behavioural Support Unit at Extendicare Rouge Valley; and a geriatric psychiatrist with Carefirst’s Geriatric Assessment and Intervention Network Clinic.

This last year, we also moved forward with development of our new Community Mental Health Centre – and as part of the Orlando Corporation’s historic donation, SHN is planning for a new mental health centre of excellence at our Birchmount Hospital. Both will be at the forefront of inclusive design and culturally-sensitive care. That same donation is also advancing our participation in UTSC’s coming Scarborough Academy of Medicine and Integrated Health, including a new education centre at our Centenary Hospital, offering leading-edge technology and spaces for learners and residents.