Hillside building

Friday, January 2, 2015

reopened, back in business, under new ownership

So Hillside has been reopened, and is now housing the female clients.
Hope that they find the building to their liking. Too bad that when it was shut down last time, all of the nice gardening was destroyed by removal and neglect. I donated a lot of my time, and also plants of my own to the gardening project there, so it was sad to see it all destroyed.
See this posting for more information about the reopening.

Hopefully the basement pumps will keep on working properly and everything will be fine.

The program is being run by Coast Mental Health who have this photo-op on their website but little else about this program. The website was giving me problems when I visited, so be careful.

Saturday, July 14, 2012

A few pictures from 1972

Personal care for the ladies at Hillside in 1972

Gardening at Hillside in 1972

(Both images are from The Province newspaper archives)

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Message sent to staff

From the; BC Mental Health and Addiction Services

Riverview Hospital Redevelopment Project Update

June 28, 2010 - To all RVH Staff & Physicians

What’s new since the last update:

A Riverview Closure Steering committee is now in place to oversee the transfer and closure activities over the next 24 months, including the human resources plan and supports.
A physician resource planning team is also now in place.
Clinical managers and community transfer coordinators from Riverview have now joined the health authority planning teams to help inform the planning of patient care services at the replacement facilities.
The Community Transfer Team is preparing for the transfer of 30 adult rehab patients from Riverview (Hillside and D2) to Detweiller [sic. Detwiller Pavilion (map) (Red-Book) ] - UBC in January 2011.

Human resources information and supports:

Health authorities are in the process of identifying staff and physician service levels and mix for all the Riverview replacement facilities in the Lower Mainland.
We anticipate that we will have further information on employment opportunities for all locations by September 2010.
Job postings for Detweiller[sic. Detwiller. ] are expected by Sept. 20, 2010.

A Riverview Staff Survey was distributed to the units in June. This information will be very helpful for Human Resources to identify how many staff are interested in re-employment, retirement or other options.
Offerings of career transition services and supports are going forward over the summer. Watch for dates and details on resume writing, interview skills and career planning.

What you can do:

Maintaining quality patient care is always our top priority.
The transfers to the health authorities and closure of Riverview may be stressful for patients, families and staff members—consult with your manager on how best to respond to questions you may be getting from patients, families or other staff members.
Discuss your employment and career planning questions with Human Resources or with your manager.

Watch for updates and direct any questions about the project to the Patient Relations Advisor, Jake Adrian at 604-524-7206.

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

The Hillside building at Riverview Hospital

History and information resources for the residents and staff of the Hillside building.

If you have any antecedents about the building, or more web-links please comment.

The UK,based MIND.org is a good resource for most folks.

Or MIND-info for booklets in many languages; Bengali,Chinese, Farsi,Filipino,French, Gujerati, Hindi, Japanese, Polish, Somali, Spanish, Turkish, Urdu, Welsh..

Another resource to enable better access to the World through computers is Abilitynet.org

the site contains information on how to adapt computers to suit your needs.

Some Resources

Accomodation & Real Estate Services, they look after the property ARES
And their Updates about the property
B.C. Art Therapy
B.C.Government
BC, Mental Health & Addictions BCMHA
BC Mental Health & Addiction Services BCMHAS
BC Mental Health & Addictions Research Network BCMHARN
BC Partners for Mental Health & Addictions Information
BC Schizophrenia Society
Canadian Mental Health Association CMHA
Coast Mental Health Foundation CMHF
Information about Epilepsy
Find out about your Doctor: College of Physicians & Surgeons of BC
Connolly & Cottonwood Lodges are run by, Fraser Health Contact: Judith MacRae Health services manager, for more information.
Diabetes Canada
Health Action Network Society HANS
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Canada JDRF
The Library in the HEY building
Huntingtons Disease resources England - America - Canada - International
International Journal of Nursing
The Mental Health Act of B.C.
Motivation Power & Achievement Society MPA
Epilepsy Support and Information
My Epilepsy
The New View Society
Obssesive Compulsive Disorder OCD
Dialogue on caring citizenship Philia
Provincial Health Services Authority PHSA
Information about Community, Health & Government contacts Redbook
Society for Community Development, this group is in Fernwood building SCD
Society for the Preservation of Antique Radio in Canada, this group is in the Sherrif's building SPARC
The Kettle
BC Society of Training for Health and Employment Opportunities THEO
Union of Psychiatric Nurses of BC

Hillside building, Riverview Hospital, Coquitlam, B.C., Canada.

Work started in January, 1965, and the contract was for $241,296, for the 60 bed Hillside unit, done in “Danish-modern style” it was completed by January of 1966. Initially there were 46 residents. The main hospital population in 1967 was 2815, and 756 in Valleyview, for a total population of 3,571.

HILLSIDE By: E.D. Bower, West Lawn
That is one of the most beautiful buildings I have ever seen in all my life. It is a millionaire's mansion in every sense of the word, and I hope they get the right people to run it.
The old swimming pool in front of it is a disgrace; the building has been condemned. It should be torn down immediately and a social centre along the lines of the Crystal Garden in Victoria be built in its place. [Ed.note: The “pool” was part of the Boys Industrial School of Coquitlam,(BISCO),(1923-1955), and was removed a few years later]

All about Hillside By: Mrs. T.Simmons, H 3
For weeks now patients out strolling have been admiring the new building which has been emerging opposite the swimming pool. It is Danish modern in design, surrounded by what will be sweeping lawns, Colourful flower gardens front the concrete walks to the entrance,
Now it can be told — the building is the Rehabilitation Department's new Hillside Unit, opened August 15th for 60 patients, 30 women and 30 men.
From the glassed front entrance of the main floor where the office is centrally located, the living and dining room are on either side. Furnished with three arrangements in Danish modern, the living room, spacious and effused with daylight, through the opposing windowed walls, spells comfort and relaxation in the soft, colourful hues chosen for the interior decoration. Leading from the living room is an outside patio on the north side. The cafeteria-style dining room offers hot meals cooked and trucked down from East lawn kitchens, and served from steam tables. All stainless steel, the serving room and kitchen are provided with the most modern refrigeration and stove units. Besides enjoying the living room, where visitors can be entertained, there is T.V. placed in the dining-room where there is ample room for this in one corner. An aquarium also graces the area.
Next to the living room, a special work kitchen provides facilities for preparing light meals. And again, a laundry room is suitably equipped for washing, drying and ironing. The latter are both for patients’ use under guidance of the teaching staff. Wash rooms adjoin from the hallway.
An open staircase arises from the entrance hall to the second floor. Here the bedrooms consist of five six-bed rooms for the ladies on one side, and the same number for the men on the other. To each bed, there is a compact wardrobe closet, boasting a set of drawers; a ladder-back chair for bedside use finished in dark walnut to match the wardrobe. Bathrooms for each side are centrally located with an extra room to provide a den or "hide-out" for those wish to spend time in grooming, mending or other sit-me-down hour duties. The storerooms for linen and utility closet take up the remaining space.
Nothing more could be asked for in the way of a home away from home. Hillside unit is luxury and must be seen to be appreciated. Open house will be held some time in September.

THE SUPERVISOR & STAFF

Supervisor of the new Hillside Unit, Mr. Richard T. Franklin was interviewed by "The Leader," prior to the opening which took place on August l5th. A casually keen and efficient host, Mr. Franklin (Tony, as he pleasantly told us he was called by many contemporaries and friends) guided us through this modern and cheerful building.
Graduating in Psychiatric Nursing in 1949, he won the Proficiency Medal at the time and has since attended a course at the University Psychiatric Hospital at U.C.L.A. In 1963, through a bursary grant. This course at U.C.L.A. dealt with Psycho Therapy for male and female patients, acutely ill.
Mr. Franklin has been on the nursing staff in various units of Riverview Hospital and recently was charge nurse at Valleyview 2 on Rehabilitation for Geriatric Patients. His wife, Mrs. Mildred, is Coordinator with Volunteer Services at Woodlands School.
Although Hillside Unit was in the planning for two years, Mr. Franklin himself has been organizing on the job for over two months, ordering supplies and overseeing the many details of readying. He is looking forward with enthusiasm for the results on the "Rehabilitation for Outside Living” for patients, who are carefully chosen and ready for this new venture.

INHABITANTS By: Miss N. McClung, E 3.
More than 60 patients will be finding a new home at the Hillside Unit - 30 men in the west side and 30 women on the east side. The pilot project, as explained by Miss Ellart, Coordinator of the Rehabilitation Department , and Mr. Franklin, Unit Supervisor, this week, is really two programs: for patients ready to be discharged to boarding houses, and for those beginning to prepare themselves for outside living on their own.
The staff, all with psychiatric training, will be in civilian clothing to emphasize their role of instructors rather than nurses.
Only the staff who voluntarily applied have been enrolled. They will not be attached to any Departments of Riverview, but be under the Rehabilitation Department only.
The 60 Patients who will be transferred to Hillside will continue at their work areas, and in addition when they are "at home" they will be learning to cook, care of their clothes and personal grooming. The entire modern building and the mode of living will be patterned for every day living.

The main emphasis will be rehabilitation for outside living, and the philosophy taught the importance of self-grooming and self-care. Think what an asset this will be when the patients return home. The cooking instruction will include simple food preparation for those working or living alone.
The men will find the ability to do their own ironing useful.
In line with the practical usefulness of the course, the staff plans the gradual transfer of patients from Riverview for a few weeks, to find out what really will be needed in the unit.

Besides enjoying the living room with its bright tangerine, brown and forest green decor, the patients are taught hostess duties when visitors are entertained at Hillside. They can serve tea to their guests. There is a television corner, in the dining room, where there is ample space for this without disrupting the sitting room. Mr.Franklin also mentioned shopping trips outside will be planned for the patients to select their own wardrobe.

At one end of the building is a "powder" or sewing room, for ladies. At the other end of the hallway is a den for the men, for hobbies.

For recreation, it is hoped that the volunteers will help the patients participate in community and church services, and that hospital facilities in their area will be kept to a minimum.

The prime purpose of Hillside unit is to further aid the patients (after active treatment is completed), and to enable him (or her) to resume once again normal living and to enjoy a purposeful life.

Hillside -- New Horizon. By: M. Hilling, Hillside.
I am a former patient from East Lawn, who was transferred to Hillside soon after that unit opened last fall. More responsibility, frequent discussions of the patients lives both at Hillside and other units are all keynoted in the Hillside environment. Supervisor is Mr. Franklin. Committee meetings play an important part in our life. Recently we elected officers for our committee: Chairman, Mr.C.Campbell -- Secretary, Mr. F.Duggan -- Treasurer, Mrs. W.Augustino --Directors, Mrs.L. Krepelnick, Mr. R.Secora, Mrs. W.Somerville.
Encouragement of self-expression and responsibility are stressed by meetings. Criticisms and suggestions are welcome, and if our proposals are practicable within the general framework in which the unit operates, they are accepted. The staff attend our meetings but only because when we were given the option of holding our meetings without them, we chose to have them present.
Examples of our increased freedom and responsibility, which always go together, are numerous. They include liberal bedtime regulations, our "home kitchen" where both men and women renew their cooking aptitudes, and the care of our own clothes, which we greatly enjoy washing and ironing.
Among other features of the Hillside program are our tri-weekly exercise sessions. These are held at 11:15 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for the women residents and at the same time on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays for the men. On Wednesdays, Miss Rappaport of the R.T. Department takes over our group and really sparks the session. On Friday nights and Saturday mornings, we go on shopping expeditions to town.
Our meetings with our instructors take place throughout the week, and we have a truly enjoyable time talking and socializing together. Couples and groups mingle well and listen to the radio or records. Everything has taken on a new glow, a mellow atmosphere.
We all get along extremely well at Hillside; both residents and instructors. There have been twelve residents discharged from the unit within the last five months, and the rest of us are looking forward to the day when we shall be leaving too.

HILLSIDE UNIT
This article is for the benefit of persons who are unaware of the purpose of Hillside We will be submitting an article pertaining to individual programmes each month and hopefully this will be of some assistance to interested parties.
The programme in this unit is specifically designed to prepare the patient for more effective living when he/she returns to the community. The assumption is that acute symptoms have subsided and that he/she is now capable of responding to individual and group stimulation for improvement in behaviour patterns., Stress is laid upon encouraging the patient to become self-sufficient and responsible for his/her behaviour,
The programme is designed to meet the needs of specific groups:
A) Potential for employment & independent living.
B) Potential for Boarding Home living.
C) Potential for family living, including a home to accept the patient.
D) Potential for Boarding Home living and employment.
Priority is for patients who can profit most fully from a rehabilitation programme stressing self-sufficiency and independence.

HILLSIDE CHRISTMAS PARTY. By: M. MacDonald, H 3.

December 17th was the date of the Hillside Rehabilitation Unit's Christmas Party. The time was set for 7:30 and cars arrived to provide transportation for the invited guests from other areas.
Upon our arrival at Hillside, each lady was presented with a small Christmas corsage. We were ushered into the dining area where the dance was to take place, to await the arrival of the orchestra. The room was filled with residents and guests, and a few staff members with their husbands and wives, including Miss A. Elart, Coordinator of the Rehabilitation Department.

The Augmented Patients' Orchestra, under the direction of Mrs. B. Hood, arrived, and soon the dance was in progress in the limited dancing area. Mr.Tony Franklin, Unit Supervisor, arrived with his wife Mildred, who is Volunteer Coordinator at Woodlands, and with "Leader" artist, Ken Butterworth, danced a smooth rendition of the samba. Some dancers maneuvered their partners under the mistletoe hanging over the dance floor. During an interlude, staff and patient entertainment was supplied by various soloists. Among these were Sybil Kelly, Trigbe Ristad, Morley Le Page, Miss Worth, Mr. Schroeder, and Jerry Adams, who all performed admirably. Entertainment over, dancing resumed for a short while. Refreshments were served, and the party was over. Thank you for the entertainment, Hillside.