KHSC to expand detox centre after receiving provincial funding

$1.84 million will allow the centre to add treat more patients who are going through withdrawal.

Those in Kingston going through addicition and withdrawal are going to benefit from the latest provincial funding.

Ontario Health is investing $1.84 million to an expanded 24-hour detoxification centre at Kingston Health Sciences Centre.

In a news release, the funding will allow the centre to upgrade from a Level II to a Level III site expanding capacity by 20 percent. This enhances the types of medical support available to clients while they experience their withdrawal.

The funding will add four new medical support beds for clients with medium- to high-level medical needs, an additional 24/7 registered practical nurse and weekend nurse practitioner, and re-classifying the 22 beds on site as observation beds.
 
The Kingston Detoxification Centre, located on Brock St., is the only publicly funded withdrawal management centre between Ottawa and Oshawa.

They say it is a critical lifeline for people across eastern Ontario who are ready to begin recovery from drug and/or alcohol misuse. They say without it, many would face risky withdrawals at home, long wait-times, or travel hours for support.

This past year, the centre had over 1,200 admissions by 760 patients.

Story by Ken Hashizume