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1978: Regional Psychiatric Centre Unique Institution
The Regional Psychiatric Centre was officially opened on 14 November
1978. Established by the Canadian
Corrections Service, the Centre was the only institution of its kind in the
world located near, and affiliated with, a university. Importantly, the institution is a psychiatric centre, not a traditional
correctional facility: patients are admitted and discharged by medical
staff. Built on 55 acres of University
property, the Centre provided for joint appointments for senior staff and
enabled faculty to provide treatment and conduct research at the Centre. The University would have refused both
location and affiliation had it not been agreed the Centre would conform with
hospital accreditation standards.
The arrangement was intended to ensure a high standard of patient care
and enhance training relating to forensic psychiatry for students in
psychiatry, law, nursing, pharmacy, and related disciplines. Additionally, as head of psychiatry Dr. Ian
McDonald noted, “universities and medical schools have a responsibility to
investigate...pressing health and social problems.” He anticipated the potential for research “into problems of broad
community concern.”
With the leadership of the department of psychiatry, Saskatchewan had
become a world leader in psychiatric treatment through the application of major
advances in therapy and through the adoption of innovative practices; with the
establishment of the Psychiatric Centre, Dr. McDonald anticipated the province
could be at the forefront of forensic psychiatry.
| Related Collections |  |
College of Medicine fonds, RG 2087
Department of Psychiatry fonds, RG 2089
| Images | |
1978a: Unveiling of plaque at opening of Centre: Dr. R.W. Begg, Mayor Cliff Wright, Donald Yeomans, and Herman Rolfes. Photograph Collection A-6550.
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