Dual Diagnosis Outreach Service

Our Purpose | Service Description | Referral Guidelines | Fees | FAQ's

Our Purpose

The purpose of this program is to assess, consult, and provide treatment recommendation to individuals, who have a pre-existing developmental disability, and, are also suffering from a Mental Health disorder.  In Ontario, this combination is defined “Dual Diagnosis”. The program staff consists of a Registered Nurse with a psychiatric background and a Psychiatrist. The Psychiatrist also provides support and consultation to the Dual Diagnosis nurse from the Chatham-Kent area.

Primary Goal of Dual Diagnosis Outreach Program

• To provide psychiatric and Nursing Outreach stabilization service to persons with Mental Illness and Developmental Delays.
• To support and enhance the ability of the community to respond to behaviour and social challenges that are inherent of the Dual Diagnosed individual.
• To maintain working relationships with agencies which provide service to individuals with developmental delay.
• To monitor and stabilize psychiatric symptoms.
• To coordinate continuity of care amongst community partners for most effective client centered treatment.

Service Description

In treating the Dual Diagnosed population it is essential that the individual, family or primary care provider work collaboratively in coordination for comprehensive treatment within the community.

The role of the nurse will be outreach services with referrals coming from a medical doctor, Associations for Community Living, the Canadian Mental Health Association, Windsor-Essex Branch, or mental health facilities.

The nurse is responsible for evaluations, intake and assessments, integrated treatment plan, consultation, education to the individual and care provider, related to mental illness and developmental delay which also involves monitoring physical conditions.

The program psychiatrist assists in consultations and follow-up recommendations for treatment for individuals requiring this service.

Other consult services of Windsor Regional Hospital are accessed as needed for Audiology testing, Physician follow-up care, Psychological testing, Diabetic Clinic and Speech Pathology (some costs may be involved for these specific services as they are not funded through this program).

Referral Guideline