AGHPS

The Association of General Hospital Psychiatric Services

Mission
To promote the continuing development of optimal psychiatric services in Ontario by enhancing the role and effectiveness of general hospital psychiatric services. The Association will increase the knowledge and skill of member hospitals. It will provide a co-ordinated and effective voice on issues relevant to the delivery of psychiatric services.

The Association will endeavour to achieve these aims through mutual support among members and effective liaison with government, allied health care associations and other services and programs, both institutional and community based.

Background
The establishment of the AGHPS, in 1982, was prompted by three factors:

the recognition of the major role of general hospital services in providing psychiatric care in Ontario

the identification of unique management issues in general hospital psychiatric services

the realization that collectively general hospital psychiatric services lacked a distinct voice in provincial and local policy making

Since 1982, the AGHPS has actively represented and advocated for mental health professionals within General Hospital / Schedule 1 facilities. In all of our activities, the Association seeks to reflect the concerns and views of its members and to ensure that general hospital psychiatry is represented in policy and service planning.

Members
Our members are general hospitals / Schedule 1 facilities. We represent approximately 50 hospitals. Our Board of Directors is comprised of 22 Chiefs of Psychiatry and Directors of Mental Health Programs throughout Ontario.

Within the general hospital, the psychiatric service was identified as unique. Its necessary concerns with psychosocial, community and chronic care make psychiatry very different from other medical services.

The essential core services provided by our members (general hospitals) are:

emergency services, including crisis services

short term inpatient assessment

stabilization and inpatient treatment

consultations, both to other services within the hospital and to the community, including family and consumer groups

day hospital services which provide intensive treatment while preventing inpatient admission and supporting early discharge

outpatient services, especially for:

Patients whose psychiatric and medical care should be integrated

Some seriously mentally ill patients who require multiple hospital services treatment and

Patients whose care would be fragmented by the involvement of an additional service provider

Goals

To clarify the role of general hospital psychiatric services and enhance relationships with other service providers.

To advocate for an adequate and effective resource base to meet identified service needs.

To enhance the knowledge and skills of members pertaining to new and emerging issues relevant to the delivery of psychiatric services.

To support and enhance the administrative functions of service heads through role clarification and skills development.

To provide mutual support for members in resolving service-specific problems and issues.