Inpatient services are where and when a patient will stay at hospital in order to receive care needed, this can be useful when less intensive services (e.g. outpatient services) are unavailable or have not been sufficient.
The adolescent psychiatric assessment unit is located in Prince George and is a regional centre for adolescent inpatient psychiatric services. The team provides crisis stabilization, comprehensive psychiatric assessment and brief treatment for youth who are experiencing serious psychiatric symptoms such as psychosis, disorder of mood, suicidal behaviour or anxiety states.
Care is provided by an inter-professional team, usually comprised of a psychiatrist, psychologist, nurses, family liaison clinician, youth counsellors, regional youth liaison clinician, and school teachers, as well as other disciplines as needed.
Adult psychiatric inpatient units are located in Prince George (University Hospital of Northern British Columbia), Dawson Creek (Dawson Creek and District Hospital), Prince Rupert (Prince Rupert Regional Hospital), and Terrace (Ksyen Regional Hospital) and are designated psychiatric facilities which are able to provide care to people certified under the Provincial Mental Health Act.
The units offer an interprofessional approach to care, and liaise with community services to ensure continuity of care when patients are discharged to the community.
More information
- Regional programs
- Age group: 19+ (will admit youth if necessary)
- Provides crisis stabilization, assessment, consultation and brief treatment and discharge planning
- Provides services for all psychiatric diagnosis including concurrent with addictions
- Provides the gateway for provincial tertiary services
- Admission: Via emergency dept, mental health and substance use community services or physicians
Observation units
Observation units are short stay units in small hospitals, where the person is stabilized within a few days and transferred to an inpatient unit if continuing treatment is necessary. Observation units are located in Quesnel (GR Baker Hospital), Burns Lake (Lakes District Hospital and Health Centre), Hazelton (Wrinch Memorial Hospital), Smithers (Bulkley Valley District Hospital), Kitimat (Kitimat General Hospital and Health Centre), and Fort Nelson (Fort Nelson General Hospital).
We support clients withdrawing from drugs and alcohol through a trauma informed, harm reduction, and multidisciplinary team approach. We also provide opioid agonist therapy (methadone and buprenorphine/naloxone) to those with opioid use disorder. The team, based on the client’s goals, will provide education, assessment, recovery plans, support, and referrals to community and treatment centers.
The toll-free number (1-877-565-2175), which is for Northern BC, connects patients, their families, and care providers to a skilled clinical staff member who determines admission based on patients needs. The time for admission will vary depending on an individual patient’s medical needs and location (for example, if the patient is traveling from another community).
The Nechako Youth Treatment Program (NYTP) provides substance misuse management, detox and treatment, as well as mental health assessments for youth ages 13 to 18. Individual, family, and group support are also provided.
More information
Prince George:
Youth Mental Health and Substance Use Regional Support team - Nechako Centre
Address: 1308 Alward Street, Prince George, BC V2M 7B1
Phone: 250-645-7410
Fax: 250-645-8038