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Redirection II Calls
for 250 Bed-Hospital; Improved Community Services
Acting Governor Donald T.
DiFrancesco yesterday presented a statewide plan for the
enhancement of the state’s mental health system and the
future of Greystone Park State Psychiatric Hospital. At
a press conference, the Governor announced Redirection II,
which calls for statewide changes in the mental health care
delivery system..
Redirection II includes construction of a new, 250-bed unit
on the grounds of Greystone that, in conjunction with some
existing buildings on the grounds, would accommodate 400
patients on about 205 acres at Greystone. The plan also
allows further expansion of an additional 50 beds in the
event of future need.
"We will always need psychiatric hospital sources for the
mentally ill that require that level of care. But not everyone
who is now in a hospital needs to be there. A clinical assessment
of psychiatric hospital patients around the state indicated
that some patients should be living in the community with
appropriate services. So the plan calls for fewer hospital
beds but much more community services," said the acting
Governor.
The plan calls for the expansion and strengthening of community
mental health services including Assertive Community Treatment,
integrated case management, crisis/respite, supportive housing
and treatment for persons with co-occurring substance abuse
disorders. Every county will now have PACT (Programs in
Assertive Community Treatment) teams that mobilize to treat
consumers unable or unwilling to participate in traditional
services. The plan also expands Integrated Case Management
Service for at least 18 months after discharge from short
term care facilities.
Through investing in additional group homes and supervised
apartments, the plan will address community placement of
388 patients from across all State psychiatric hospitals
who have been assessed as appropriate for discharge but
require suitable residential settings coupled with necessary
supportive mental health care.
"Let me be clear that those who may be eligible for one
of these placements will undergo a long-term, careful assessment
of their needs and abilities before being discharged. What's
more, once that happens, they will continue to receive close
attention for at least the next 18 months through what we
call Integrated Case Management Services," said DiFrancesco.
The State anticipates that the Redirection Plan will improve
both the quality of care and patient supervision at all
adult State psychiatric hospitals by stressing higher staff-to-patient
ratio, improved staff recruitment and retention efforts,
and improved staff training programs.
A preliminary estimate of the cost for new construction
is $5.4 million annually to support anticipated debt service
associated with capital funding. In response to a request
from the acting Governor, the Economic Development Authority
has agreed to arrange bond financing for renovations and
new construction, and construction project management for
the new facility.
The expansion of community services is estimated to cost
$17 million during FY02, $32.2 million during FY03 and -
following a 2 to 3-year phase-in of services- $35.2 million
annually. Of the total of $35.2 million, $19.7 million is
for community placement options for the 388 currently hospitalized
patients and $15.5 million is to support community services
for existing consumers to divert unnecessary hospitalization.
"This is a significant investment because this is a major
change in the way we do things. But there is no question
that we need to do this. "We need to give our citizens with
mental illness the best opportunity to lead healthy, productive
lives. The way to do that, we know, is to serve them as
much as possible in the community. And if hospital care
is necessary, we should be able to provide that care as
efficiently and effectively as we can," said DiFrancesco.
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