News Release

Veterans Affairs Canada Opens Operational Stress Injury Clinic at Parkwood Hospital

London, ON – John O'Reilly, MP, on behalf of the Honourable John McCallum, Minister of Veterans Affairs, was joined by Susan Horvath of the St. Joseph's Health Care London Board of Directors and Chair of the Quality of Care/Long-Term Care Committee, to officially open today an Operational Stress Injury (OSI) Clinic at Parkwood Hospital.

The clinic, funded by Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC), provides specialized services to help Veterans and members of the Canadian Forces (CF) deal with operational stress injuries resulting from military services. Standardized assessment, treatment, prevention and support are provided to serving CF members, VAC pensioners, and CF members who are making the transition to civilian life suffering from Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other operational stress injuries including anxiety, depression, or addiction. Educational programs as well as individual, group, and family counselling are also available.

Mr. O'Reilly observed that the recent 2002 CF Mental Health Survey indicates that CF members have higher rates of mental health issues than Canadians in general. "As a result, it is important that CF members have access to a mental health care system that is comprehensive, integrated and that delivers services consistently to a standard of excellence," he said. "By opening a VAC OSI clinic at Parkwood Hospital we are improving availability and access to appropriate treatment and demonstrating Government's commitment to serving those who have served us."

"Clients will be able to access a multidisciplinary team of health professionals including psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, and clinical social workers who work together to develop a treatment plan tailored to meet the individual needs of the CF member," said Cliff Nordal, President and CEO of St. Joseph's Health Care London. "We are very pleased to be able to provide this important service at Parkwood Hospital."

VAC's OSI clinic at Parkwood Hospital is part of a national network of treatment clinics which includes the National OSI Centre at VAC's Sainte Anne's Hospital and other VAC OSI clinics being developed across the country. Also included are the Department of National Defence's (DND's) five CF Operational Trauma and Stress Support Centres located at Halifax, Valcartier, Ottawa, Edmonton, and Esquimalt; and other health professionals involved in the treatment of psychological injuries.

These clinics are for serving CF members, VAC pensioners, and members who are releasing from the military and making the transition to civilian life and ensure that CF clients receive standardized mental health services and continuous care, whether they are still in uniform or not.

Those requiring treatment for PTSD or other operational stress injuries can access it through a referral from either a DND or a VAC medical officer.

The network of clinics is one element of the joint approach between VAC and DND which includes forums to share best practices in assessment and treatment, collaborative research and continuing education opportunities for health care professionals.

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