BY KIM WESTAD AND RICHARD WATTS, TIMES COLONIST

If mental-health patients get sicker because of cuts to services in Victoria, they could end up costing the health system more in emergency care, says one of Canada's most experienced psychiatrists.

"I know of no system which could sensibly cut both in-patient services and outpatient community supports at the same time and still say they will deliver the same level of service," said Dr. Donald Milliken, the former chief of psychiatry at the Eric Martin Pavilion, who now works in the mood-disorders clinic at the facility.

Mentally ill patients will have access to fewer resources as a result of the Vancouver Island Health Authority cuts announced this week, said Milliken.

VIHA is cutting 15 per cent of bed capacity at Eric Martin, about 10 beds. Also eliminated are six counsellors, about 25 per cent of that force. There will also be a 20 per cent cut in the number of people providing follow-up care for those discharged from psychiatric care. MORE HERE