The Brightshores Wellness and Recovery Centre has achieved a major milestone in mental health and addiction care, significantly reducing local Emergency Department visits following patient discharge.
Over the past three years, the number of patients returning to the Emergency Department (ED) within 30 days of leaving care has dropped dramatically. In 2022, there were 410 such visits across Brightshores’ six hospitals, as well as the Hanover and District Hospital and South Bruce Grey Health System EDs. By 2024, that number fell to 52, and in 2025, only four visits were recorded across these facilities.
The centre, which opened in June 2024, provides individualized recovery plans and enhanced follow-up after discharge, including access to medical clinics and dedicated crisis support services. This approach has been a key factor in reducing repeat ED visits, a widely recognized indicator of effective mental health and addiction care.
“Together with our partners, we have worked to understand what each person needs to feel supported, stable and connected,” said Naomi Vodden, Director of Mental Health and Addiction Services at Brightshores. “Before this programming, many people relied on the ED due to limited access to timely mental health or addiction support. Fewer ED visits reflect real improvements in people’s lives and access to the right care at the right place and at the right time.”
Brightshores’ centre is the first model of its kind in Ontario and has drawn attention across the province for addressing a critical gap in mental health and addiction services. Located in a repurposed school in Owen Sound, the facility offers stable housing and comprehensive supports for individuals with complex needs.
“We’re seeing a transformative shift in how individuals access mental health and addiction care in Grey Bruce,” said Beth Morris, Vice President of Clinical Programs and Quality, Chief Nursing Executive. “A supportive alternative to the ED connects people to care earlier and strengthens support after discharge.”
The success of the Wellness & Recovery Centre highlights the impact of combining individualized care, stable housing, and follow-up support to help patients maintain wellness outside of hospital settings.
