Starting Monday, April 1, an opioid dependency treatment clinic will open at the Dr. Walter Templeman Health Care Centre on Bell Island. Operated by Eastern Health, the clinic will serve both new clients and those currently receiving treatment at another location.
New clients interested in accessing treatment, as well as clients who may wish to transfer their treatment to the Dr. Walter Templeman Health Care Centre, can call (709) 488-2821 to register. Once the clinic opens, initial priority will be given to new clients who are not currently receiving treatment. Clients already receiving treatment from another location will be gradually added to the program.
This new clinic will offer the first comprehensive mental health and addictions support program on Bell Island. It will include a physician and a nurse practitioner, pharmacy services, as well as addictions counselling services five days per week.
The service has been developed in consultation with the residents and families of Bell Island, community partners, advocacy groups, health care providers, physicians and Eastern Health.
This initiative builds on the work happening on Towards Recovery: The Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan and aligns with the province’s Opioid Action Plan. It also delivers on commitments in The Way Forward to deliver better services and better outcomes for residents. The Way Forward outlines all actions the Provincial Government is taking to achieve a strong, diversified province with a high standard of living, and can be viewed at thewayforward.gov.nl.ca.
Quotes
“Bell Island residents who have loved ones struggling with opioid addiction or who have lost loved ones reached out looking for support, and we listened. We want this clinic to reduce the stigma around drug use and addiction, and be accessible to the people who need the services.”
Honourable John Haggie
Minister of Health and Community Services
“We know there is a recognized need to offer opioid dependency treatment for people on Bell Island and it is important to us that our clients have the access to services that they need. Eastern Health has made great efforts to improve mental health and addictions services throughout our region and the opening of this new clinic is another step forward to expanding these services.”
David Diamond
CEO and President, Eastern Health
“Having worked with the mothers and Eastern Health on Bell Island, I think this treatment is a long time coming. It is important to know that the kids themselves have worked very hard to make this happen. It gives them encouragement and empowerment to move forward in their lives. It is with great optimism that with the support of community leaders and residents, we can accomplish great success.”
Shelly Kavanagh
Member of In Good Hands Group, Bell Island
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Learn more
Towards Recovery: The Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador 
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Media contacts
Kathy Dicks-Peyton
Health and Community Services
709-729-6986, 699-1982
KathyDicksPeyton@gov.nl.ca
Tracey Boland
Eastern Health
709-777-1412
TraceyL.Boland@easternhealth.ca