New Mental Health and Substance Use Zone Unveiled at Burnaby Hospital

In the spring of 2018 Burnaby Hospital Foundation embarked upon a mission to help bring an urgently needed Mental Health & Substance Use Zone to our Emergency Department.

Thanks to a lead gift of $250,000 from the Burnaby Firefighters Charitable Society, and the incredible outpouring of support from our community – including you, your friends, and your neighbors – we were able to contribute $1.5 million to this vital project.

The brand-new MHSU at Burnaby Hospital opened its doors on January 8, 2020 and is expected to support 4,300 patients each year which will reduce wait times for the 82,000 patients seen annually in the ER.

With patient-centred care as a priority, the new zone is designed to be a calming environment with a separate entrance from the Emergency Department and features a seclusion room, three private assessment rooms, a nourishment centre with food and a washroom that includes a shower.

Fraser Health has also hired 12 new full time staff including specially trained emergency and mental health and substance workers to support the new zone.

From all of us at Burnaby Hospital Foundation, thank you for continuing to support the vital advancements to your community hospital.