Lakeridge Health Partners on New On-Site Support Role

Lakeridge Health has partnered with Victim Services of Durham Region (VSDR) to pilot a new on-site support role.

This role provides trauma-informed care to individuals who have experienced harm, such as human trafficking, child abuse, intimate partner violence, sexual assault, elder abuse, or harassment. This can include safety planning and linkages to community wrap-around supports to individuals, witnesses, or family members.

“We’re grateful to Victim Services of Durham Region for the funding for this pilot project,” said Nicole Tracy, Program Manager at Durham Mental Health Services, a part of Lakeridge Health Mental Health and Addictions program. “It will be integral in helping to improve health outcomes and reduce repeat visits to hospital for members of our Durham Region communities who experience these horrendous crimes. It will also help to increase team members’ knowledge related to community-based victim services to improve continuity of care.”

“Currently, many are unable to safely connect with services or other crisis supports once they leave hospital due to lack of access, fear, isolation, their movements being tracked, and other personal, systemic, or social barriers,” said Sydney Marcoux, Clinical Director of Victim Services at VSDR. “This pilot aims to remove these barriers.”

The pilot project will run until July 2024 with a possible extension evaluated at that time.

The new on-site support role is available to patients and families at the Oshawa Hospital, Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Outside of those hours, VSDR can be contacted at 905-721-4226. Both community and self-referrals are supported.  

The pilot project adds to the compassionate, confidential care and treatment offered through Lakeridge Health’s Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Care Centre.