Four Ventura County Hospitals Authorized To Write Applications To Hold People With Mental Illnesses

The Ventura County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted 4-0 to allow staff at four county hospitals to write applications to authorize holding for up to 24 hours people with mental illnesses who appear to pose a danger to themselves or others, the Ventura County Star reports. Staff at Ventura County Medical Center, Simi Valley Hospital, Aurora Vista Del Mar Hospital and St. John's Regional Medical Center's geriatric unit will now be able to write the so-called 5150 forms, which under state law allow officials to hold an individual until a physician can complete a thorough examination. Previously, only county mental health employees and law enforcement officials were authorized to write the 5150 applications. The policy change will allow the approximately 32-member county mental health crisis team to respond to more emergencies, according to the Star (Ventura County Star, 6/25).