Guidelines for Transferring Mental Health Patients from the QGH to Southern Mental Health Facilities

Adults

For adults who require more complex mental health care than we are able to provide in Nunavut, the main referral centre is Selkirk Mental Health Facility just north of Winnipeg (Manitoba). Selkirk admits patients from Kivalliq and Qikiqtaaluk regions of Nunavut, and occasionally from Kitikmeot. The Royal Ottawa Hospital has beds reserved for Nunavut patients. Transfers of mental health patients south rarely take place at night and should always be arranged with the involvement of the inpatient mental health nurse.

Adolescent and Pediatric Patients

For any patient admitted under age 18, strongly consider a Sick Kids TelePsychiatry assessment at the time of admission. Pediatric psychiatric patients are usually admitted under the hospitalist unless they are considered to have a psychiatric illness related to a coexisting medical disease, but please do not hesitate to consult our pediatric team for their opinion. 

There is an adolescent psychiatric bed at CHEO. Finding a southern facility to accept a pediatric mental health patient can be very difficult, please ask for additional help if you find yourself in this position.