The Canadian Government has allocated over C$4.3m ($2.99m) to St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton for the development of a peer-led programme aimed at improving care for individuals who use drugs during and after their hospital stay.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to address the ongoing toxic drug and overdose crisis affecting communities across the nation.
Mental Health Minister and Addictions and Associate Health Minister Ya'ara Saks said: “We are using every tool at our disposal to end this crisis and build a safer, healthier and more caring future for all Canadians.”
The newly announced programme includes individuals with direct personal experience with drug use into the hospital's care teams as peer workers.
These workers can serve as a vital link between patients and healthcare professionals, offering both one-on-one and group support within the emergency and inpatient units of several Hamilton hospitals, including St. Joseph's Hospital, Hamilton General Hospital, Juravinski Hospital, and McMaster Children's Hospital.
Hamilton Mountain Member of Parliament Lisa Hepfner said: “This new programme will complement existing services and help to improve health care for people seeking support in Hamilton. We will continue to work together to connect people to health care and help save lives.”
To facilitate a smoother transition back into the community post-discharge, the programme will continue to provide care for up to three months.
The funding for this initiative comes from the Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP).
St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton peer support supervisor Marcie McIlveen said: “This funding will support people who use substances receive tailored to support both while in hospital and post-discharge, fostering understanding, trust and building relationships led by the people accessing the service.”
In a parallel development, the Ontario government has taken a significant step by becoming the first in Canada to publicly fund and administer advanced-stage prostate cancer treatment PLUVICTO.
This treatment is now included in the province's publicly funded drug programme.
