Provincial Assessment Centre
The Provincial Assessment Centre offers multidisciplinary mental health services for people with a developmental disability, and a concurrent mental health concern or behaviour issue.
The centre supports people who are 14 years old or older. It provides interdisciplinary, intensive assessments to support ongoing care planning. The 10-bed facility is located in Coquitlam, BC.
The centre came under the umbrella of BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services in the fall of 2023. Prior to that, Community Living British Columbia (CLBC) offered the program for 18 years.
Who is the Provincial Assessment Centre (PAC) for?
The centre serves individuals with developmental disabilities and concurrent mental health challenges. PAC serves adults and youth over 14 years of age. We provide specialized assessment and treatment services delivered by health care professionals.
Health professionals must refer people to the program. Admissions can be voluntary or involuntary under the Mental Health Act. All admissions are pre-planned and referred by CLBC or the Ministry of Child and Family Development (MCFD). PAC does not offer emergency admissions.
Referrals by health professionals
If you are a health professional looking to refer a patient to the Provincial Assessment Centre, visit our referral page for information and referral forms.
What to expect
We will develop and implement an assessment and treatment plan with the full involvement of clients and their support needs. The length of admission varies from two weeks to 90 days, depending on the clinical team's assessment.
When someone is admitted to the PAC facility, they receive a multidisciplinary evaluation, treatment plans, and recommendations for on-going support and care in their home and community environments.
The multidisciplinary team will collaborate with them, their loved ones, and other members of their support network. The team wants to understand their mental health and behavioural needs, functional strengths and capabilities, and support needs within the community.
The PAC assessment involves:
- Inpatient assessment
- Psychiatric assessment and care
- Specialized, multi-disciplinary care 24-hours daily
- Reviewing community care plans and behavioural safety plans
- Collaboration and transition planning with families and agencies
- Defining and promoting realistic, achievable function
The PAC team uses an evidence-based and developmental approach. The goal is to build continuity of care and develop multidisciplinary care and safety plans.
People admitted to the PAC have their own bedroom. They are encouraged to bring familiar items from home like a blanket, stuffed animal, etc. If they bring valuables to PAC, these will be catalogued at admission and kept at the care team station. All electronic devices are charged overnight at the care team station.
Clients will need some cash during their stay to purchase personal items. PAC does not accept debit or credit cards and cannot cash cheques.
Clients will have access to various activities when not involved in assessment activities. Examples include:
- Gym facilities both on unit and off unit. There is a larger shared gymnasium on the first floor
- Secured outdoor courtyard for outside access and gardening
- Small library on site
- Art and craft materials available any time
If you are part of your loved one’s caregiving network, you will receive regular progress updates from the PAC social worker or other clinician. A discharge care plan is provided at the discharge meeting.
Facilitators, social workers and doctors/psychiatrists of people admitted to the PAC will receive a detailed report from each discipline involved in their care. This report is available approximately two weeks after their discharge.
The multidisciplinary team will assess clients to determine if they are stable enough to safely leave the facility. Most enjoy a variety of activities and supported community outings during their time at the centre.
The care team
The care team includes the following health care professionals:
- Psychiatrists
- Physician
- Psychologist
- Nurses (RPN's, RN's, and nurse leaders)
- Behavioural analyst
- Occupational therapist
- Social worker
- Health care workers
- Dietitian
- Art therapist
- Recreational therapist
- Indigenous wellness helper
For families and caregivers
Stay involved
Research shows that people benefit when they stay connected to their family members, caregivers, or loved ones when they are admitted to an inpatient unit. We encourage you to stay connected to your loved one during their admission to PAC. You can find helpful information in the Family and Caregiver Handbook. The social worker or other clinician will provide regular updates to you and other caregivers throughout the individual's stay.
Phone calls and visits
Phone calls and visits are allowed and encouraged based on your loved one’s progress and stability. Off unit privileges are determined on a weekly basis during clinical team meetings with your loved one’s psychiatrist. Please call PAC to arrange a visit with your loved one.
Resources for Indigenous patients and families
If the person admitted to the Provincial Assessment Centre is Indigenous, we have a dedicated Indigenous care coordinator (ICC) who can support them while they are receiving care. The coordinator ensures they have access to high quality care that is free of discrimination. They also help empower them to determine their own health care needs.
The coordinator can support them by incorporating Indigenous wellness practices as part of their treatment plan. They can also facilitate access to Indigenous-specific programming that is culturally safe and relevant.
Clients and their loved ones can request support from the coordinator at any point during their admission. Ask any member of the health care team to submit a referral.
The Indigenous care coordinator provides:
- Holistic care planning and Indigenous wellness programming
- Individual cultural and spiritual supports, including coordination and access to Sacred Spaces
- Client and family advocacy
- Help in addressing and/or reporting care that is harmful or discriminatory
- Health system navigation, communication support to your loved one’s health care team
The coordinator can also assist with:
- Discharge planning and resource coordination
- Connecting with First Nations Health Benefits or Non-Insured Health Benefits program for First Nation or Inuk
- Connecting with other sources of support available to all Indigenous patients
Contact us
həy̓χʷət kʷθə šxʷhəliʔ leləm (The Healing Spirit House)
3rd Floor, 2721 Lougheed Hwy
Coquitlam, B.C. V3C 4J2
Phone: 604-660-0228
Email: PACReferrals@phsa.ca