Kemptville District Hospital partners with West Ottawa HART Hub to offer mobile consultation services for substance use and homelessness

KEMPTVILLE, ON, January 7, 2026 – Kemptville District Hospital (KDH) is pleased to announce the launch of mobile consultation services in partnership with the West Ottawa Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub, starting today (January 7, 2026).

The HART Hub is a new model of care launched by the provincial government to assist individuals seeking care for substance related health concerns and social related concerns with housing. The province is investing almost $550 million to open 28 HART hubs across Ontario to protect the safety of children and families, while improving access to recovery and treatment services for people facing housing instability, mental health and substance use challenges.

Homelessness Addictions Recovery and Treatment (HART) Hubs connect people to a range of comprehensive substance use health treatment services and related wraparound supports such as primary care, mental health supports, social services and employment support.

The West Ottawa HART Hub’s main location will be in Bells Corners and will offer walk-in access to Rapid Access Addictions Medicine (RAAM), counselling services, social work support, peer support, case management, housing and employment supports and access to withdrawal management services. Through accessing the main site, clients may also be referred to in-patient stabilization and psychosocial treatment programs.

“KDH has long advocated for mental health, substance use, and homelessness support services for our community,” said the hospital’s President and CEO, Frank Vassallo. “The HART Hub will be a key element in providing much needed services for those in need.”

The intent of the Community Health Rapid Access Management Program (RAMP), led by the West Ottawa HART Hub, is to assist rural hospitals with providing care to individuals seeking care for substance use and housing related concerns. The goal is to alleviate pressure on the KDH Emergency Department (ED), while providing high quality and safe care to patients.

The Community Health RAMP is an exciting interim measure to launch West Ottawa HART Hub services while its buildings are being renovated, with funding until March 31, 2026. The in-patient services are expected to open this month, with the main site in Bells Corners expected to open in March 2026.

“Kemptville District Hospital is our first pilot site for the Community Health RAMP and we’re so excited to launch this great service,” said Anthony Desloges, Clinical Manager of the West Ottawa HART Hub.

KDH can call out to the Community Health RAMP, between 9am and 3pm Monday through Friday, and the service will provide care directly to the patient in the ED. The Community Health RAMP will also offer assistance with discharge coordination for admitted patients at the hospital, as well as follow-up care related to substance use.

“Our mobile service will have an exceptional team of professionals specializing in substance use health, including a social worker, registered practical nurse, case manager, as well as a prescriber,” said Desloges. “We’ll have a wide breadth of services to be able to refer and start coordinating care.”

“KDH is thrilled to be partnering with the West Ottawa HART Hub to bring vital services to our patients,” said Katie Hogue, KDH VP of Nursing/Clinical Services & Chief Nursing Executive. “This model of care really aligns with the work we’re doing at KDH to build new community partnerships that provide timely access to care.”

For more information about the West Ottawa HART Hub, visit: https://www.pqchc.com/services/homelessness-and-addiction-recovery-treatment-%28hart%29-hub

About Kemptville District Hospital

Kemptville District Hospital (KDH) is an integrated health services organization serving the health needs of North Grenville, the eastern regions of the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, and South Ottawa in partnership with other healthcare and community organizations in our region. KDH is part of an approved Ontario Health Team – Ottawa West Four Rivers – comprised of many community services and primary care providers. KDH provides 24-hour emergency care, inpatient care, surgical programs including advanced orthopedic surgery, and outpatient clinics. KDH is committed to our mission of ‘Building Healthier Communities’ based on people-centered care and collaborative partnerships.

Media contact:

Jenn Westendorp, Communications Officer

Kemptville District Hospital

613.258.6133 x 225

Email: jwestendorp@kdh.on.ca