ACT and AOT under one roof to better serve clients
ACT and AOT together in one central location
ACT Clinical Supervisors Jessica and Cindy
Earlier this month, Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) teams 1, 2, 4 and 5, as well as the Assertive Outreach Team (AOT) moved to 865 West 10th Ave. (ACT 3 is managed by RainCity Society and remains at their current East 11th Ave. location).
The newly renovated building is steps from the VGH Emergency Department, Psychiatric Assessment Unit (PAU) and less than a block away from the future site of the Segal Centre (which will house the new Access and Assessment Centre, Outpatient Psychiatry Team and acute psychiatry inpatient units).
ACT and AOT provide community-based treatment and support to Mental Health & Substance Use clients transitioning from acute services back to the community. The teams’ first few weeks have been busy as they continue to provide the same level of client services while organizing their new space.
“This is the first time the VCH ACT teams and AOT have been in the same location,” says George Scotton, manager for ACT and AOT. “The move helps us better serve our clients by bringing together the team’s expertise to improve consultation and collaboration in one central location.”
ACT Clinical Supervisor Brendan Munden
Scotton’s comments are echoed by Cindy Tsang, Clinical Supervisor for ACT 2. “We share knowledge and resources, and have been getting to know one another better. It’s great to be together in the same space.”
The reaction from the teams about the move has been very positive. Brendan Munden, supervisor for ACT 1 says, “Having all the ACT teams in one space is great as we can draw on each other for knowledge and resources. Being in one space makes so much sense as we often cross paths with each other’s clients, and we are able to relay information more effectively to better support some of the most marginalized people in Vancouver.”
Moves part of overall redesign to streamline services for patients
Monica McAlduff, director of Mental Health and Substance Use for Vancouver, explains that the moves are part of an overall MHSU Services Redesign that also includes the grand opening of the new Access and Assessment Centre (AAC) for Vancouver patients in need of MHSU services and care. The AAC is expected to open in late April and will be located on the east side of the main floor of the VCH Health Centre on the VGH campus.
Check in with VCH News for more updates around the AAC and its new services.
For the previous article on SAFER and Community Link Programs joining the VGH Outpatient Department, please click here.