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Assertive community treatment teams and integrated care teams to be established in Campbell River

Funding for the ACT and ICT teams is a part of the Province’s Integrated Primary and Community Care initiative

Access to health care supports and services for adults in Campbell River and Port Alberni living with serious mental illnesses will be significantly improved with the investment of $1.5M this year to establish an interdisciplinary Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team and an Integrated Care Team (ICT) in each community.

“Our government is committed to improving supports and services for people facing mental illnesses and/or substance disorders,” said Health Minister Margaret MacDiarmid. “Establishing ACT and ICT teams in Campbell River and Port Alberni is a significant step forward in strengthening the network of services available to clients.”

Funding for the ACT and ICT teams is a part of the Province’s Integrated Primary and Community Care initiative.

This initiative aims to provide comprehensive, seamless and locally accessible health care services that are delivered by a network of provider teams that are integrated into regional health care systems to support healthier people and communities. The ACT teams will serve Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) mental health clients in Port Alberni and Campbell River who have complex needs. The teams will provide intensive interventions for clients over extended hours, seven days a week and support clients to manage their day to day living. ACT services are predominantly mobile, with approximately 75 per cent of services delivered outside the office.  The ICT team will support family physicians in assessing, intervening and/or supporting adults living with mental illnesses and/or substance use disorders.  Services are mainly mobile with the ICT team providing the majority of services to both clients and physicians in physician offices.

“Providing individuals living with mental health and addiction illnesses with safe, quality and timely access to care and services is a key priority for VIHA,” said Don Hubbard, VIHA Board Chair. “The addition of ACT and ICT teams in Campbell River and Port Alberni will make a significant difference in supporting these clients with the ultimate goal of improving their quality of life.”

VIHA anticipates the ACT and ICT teams will be ready to begin providing services to clients in spring 2013. Employment opportunities seeking ACT and ICT team members are currently posted on the VIHA website, www.viha.ca/careers. Request for Proposals, that seek office space in Port Alberni and in Campbell River to house the ACT and ICT teams, are posted on the BC Bid website, www.bcbid.ca