Correctional Service of Canada Health Centre of Excellence

The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) is working on a project to design and build a Health Centre of Excellence (HCoE). It will replace the health services currently offered at Shepody Healing Centre, on existing CSC property in Dorchester, New Brunswick.

While public safety is paramount, the health and safety of our employees and those in our care and custody is our highest priority. The Health Centre of Excellence will contribute to the Government of Canada’s ongoing efforts to improve health care in the federal correctional system. This will further enhance CSC’s ability to keep our employees safe and address the evolving health needs of federal offenders from across Canada.

What is the Health Centre of Excellence

• A new, bilingual facility that will serve as a national resource to strengthen CSC’s capacity to address the health needs of federal offenders, contributing to better public safety outcomes
• A multi-level security health facility that will provide physical and mental health services for men and women, gender diverse offenders, aging, Indigenous, and offenders with mobility issues, as well as those who may require access to 24-hour health care

Why is CSC building a Health Centre of Excellence

• A new health centre with increased bed capacity is required as the current Shepody Healing Center cannot meet growing needs
• This new centre will enable CSC to more effectively deliver health services, in both languages, to federal inmates, including increased in-patient mental health capacity
• The new facility will not only meet CSC’s legal obligations to provide essential health care but will also help alleviate the pressure on community hospital beds
• The HCoE will be a national resource for CSC to help meet the health needs of a diverse offender population across the country, including women and aging offenders
• The HCoE will provide a workspace designed for staff to deliver the services and care to patients in an innovative and therapeutic environment

Next steps

• CSC has established a multi-disciplinary health team dedicated to advancing progress for the HCoE. The team will continue to plan, consult and engage with stakeholders, unions, community and health partners, and the public, including public information sessions with the community of Dorchester
• Design and construction timelines will be further defined following the identification of a delivery model and subsequent procurement activities

Associated links

Government of Canada moves to create a bilingual Health Centre of Excellence at Dorchester Penitentiary (newswire.ca)