Closure Of Tri-City Psych Ward Delayed A Month, But Pleas For Longer Extension Fail To Sway Board
“We’re already seeing an increase in the calls for mental health-related services and now we’re seeing a reduction in options as far as where to take people to get help in these emergencies,” said Sheriff’s Deputy Dave Schaller. “This is a ripple that will affect countywide.”
The San Diego Union-Tribune:
Tri-City Board Delays Psych Ward Closure Until Oct. 2 But Rebuffs Pleas For Longer Stay
Tri-City Medical Center directors acted Tuesday night to delay the indefinite suspension of the hospital’s psychiatric ward by more than one month but rejected pleas from a wide range of constituents to keep the vital resource open through the end of the year. On a 5-2 vote after hours of testimony from the public, law enforcement, elected officials and medical staff, the board adopted a proposal from the county’s behavioral health services department to shutter the unit on Oct. 2 rather than Aug. 26 as originally planned. Tri-City officials said the unit will stop admitting new patients on Sept. 22, the earliest date that such an action could take place, according to the county. (Sisson, 8/22)
KPBS:
Tri-City Postphones Suspension Of North County Inpatient Psychiatric Unit
Sheriff’s Deputy Dave Schaller said the whole region will be affected by the closure of Tri-City’s inpatient beds. “We’re already seeing an increase in the calls for mental health-related services and now we’re seeing a reduction in options as far as where to take people to get help in these emergencies,” he said. “This is a ripple that will affect countywide.” (St John, 8/22)
In other news —
Santa Rosa Press Democrat:
Sonoma West Medical Center To Shutter Emergency Room, Become Long-Term Acute Care Hospital
Sonoma West Medical Center, which is expected to run out of money by the end of the month, would lose its emergency department under a plan to transform the struggling Sebastopol facility into an extended-stay hospital under new management. The move was given a green light last week when the Palm Drive Health Care District, which owns the hospital, approved a management services agreement with Modesto-based American Advanced Management Group. The new operator plans to transform the hospital into a long-term acute care hospital, which provides hospital-level care for patients with complex medical conditions who must remain in the hospital setting for 25 days or more. The nearest such facility is in Kentfield. (Espinoza, 8/22)
Sacramento Bee:
A Larger UC Davis Outpatient Clinic Will Open In Roseville
UC Davis Health plans to open a new outpatient clinic in Roseville by late 2019 or early 2020 to meet the needs of an increasing number of patients in the city. The clinic will replace the health provider’s current clinic, located off of Douglas Boulevard. (Holzer, 8/22)