Dr. Mackinnon Phillips Psychiatric Hospital

• Dr. Mackinnon Phillips Psychiatric Hospital

• Ontario Hospital in Owen Sound

• Ontario Hospital, Owen Sound

• Dr. Mackinnon Phillips Hospital

The Ontario Hospital, Owen Sound, was founded 10 October 1963. Renamed in 1967 as the Dr. Mackinnon Phillips Psychiatric Hospital, the hospital was the second small community hospital to be opened under the new program of the Department of Health. Intended to be the "psychiatric centre for Bruce Peninsula", the facility allowed patients to be treated as close as possible to their home. Dr. R. D. Whiteside, a psychiatric specialist, was the first Superintendent of the hospital. The hospital included "all the newer concepts of psychiatric treatment" providing for a full range of treatments including an Out-Patient Department, for adults and children. Forty-eight beds were designated for day care and short term In-Patient treatment, which allowed patients to receive treatment during the day and then return home at night. The remainder of the beds, 252, were set aside for patients with emotional and mental problems, and who required longer term care.

Psychiatric facilities in Ontario were administered through the Office of the Inspector of Prisons and Asylums between 1868 and 1876. In 1876, this body became known as the Office of the Inspector of Prisons and Public Charities. It formed part of the Department of the Provincial Secretary. In 1931 responsibility for hospitals and institutions was moved to the jurisdiction of the Department of Health. Since then, psychiatric facilities have always been administered within the Department of Health, in many different branches and divisions. In particular, the Dr. Mackinnon Phillips Pyschiatirc Hospital was administered by the Mental Health Branch (1960- 1966); Mental Health Division (1966- 1973); and the Psychiatric Hospitals Branch (1973-1982).

In 1978, the Psychiatric Hospitals Branch, cooperated with general hospitals and other health agencies in an attempt to "economize by unifying services". On 1 April, 1978, Dr. Mackinnion Phillips Psychiatric Hospital merged with the Owen Sound General and Marine Hospital.

Psychiatric facilities in Ontario, including the Dr. Mackinnon Phillips Psychiatric Hospital, provided a range of services, including acute, rehabilitation and long-term care. They provided specialized care for diagnosed patients with alcohol or drug dependencies, those who were mentally challenged, or who had other psychiatric disabilities.

No statute or Order in Council could be identified establishing this hospital.

RAD: Rules for Archival Description, 2nd edn (2008)

2026-11-16: migrated to AtoM

Not in Canadiana.

Annual Reports 1963-1978.

Ontario Hospital, Owen Sound Official Opening Ceremony, June 27, 1963.

Government of Ontario Telephone Directory.

Archivist(s):
Solovitch