AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM COMMISSIONER
LEADHOLM ~
AUGUST 14, 2009
Commissioner Barbara Leadholm, M.S.,
M.B.A.
August 14,
2009
We are
moving forward in developing plans and timelines around the
DMH Inpatient Study Commission Report and Recommendations.
The recommendations cover a number of interdependent areas
of the Department including the accelerated consolidation of
Westborough State Hospital and the conversion of inpatient
beds at Quincy Mental Health Center to community
placements.
The milestones previously
identified in the Implementation Plan dated July 27, 2009,
provide the broad timeline for the changes identified
below.
Thank you
for your dedication, professionalism and commitment to
meeting the Department’s mission during this challenging
time.
Department
of Mental Health
Community
First Inpatient Redesign Update
The following represents the
Department’s plan for the consolidation and redesign of
DMH inpatient services. Further specific
implementation dates will be determined as planning
progresses.
The redesign is guided by
these principles:
Consumers are discharged to
the community in a thoughtful way and supported by
appropriate and responsive services.
Movement of individual
clients within inpatient facilities is
minimized.
To minimize disruption of admissions to DMH continuing care facilities, DMH will adhere to the 60 percent bed conversion formula recommended by the Commission (e.g., keeping four beds open for every 10 discharges).
Any transfers of persons in continuing care facilities who are not ready for discharge will include efforts to support consumer and family choice.
A phased approach is necessary to accomplish redesign goals.
The Department is implementing the following actions to consolidate inpatient services:
1. As we create placement
opportunities for approximately 200 individuals who are in
DMH continuing care beds and whose recovery has progressed
so they are able to transition to the community within the
next 120 days, existing inpatient capacity will be utilized
to accomplish a redesign and consolidation of DMH inpatient
services.
2. Plans for new
continuing care and forensic evaluation admissions that
currently go to Quincy Mental Health Center or Westborough
State Hospital are under development. Implementation of
these plans is anticipated to begin August 31,
2009.
3. The statewide
inpatient unit for patients who are deaf or hard of hearing
will be relocated to Worcester State Hospital.
4. Individuals
with specialized medical/behavioral inpatient treatment
needs will be hospitalized across specialty units located at
the Metro Boston Inpatient Units at the Lemuel Shattuck
Hospital and at the Hawthorne Units at Tewksbury
Hospital.
5. Specialty
units for forensic evaluations will initially be
consolidated and located in three facilities, Taunton State
Hospital, Worcester State Hospital, and the Dr. Solomon
Carter Fuller MHC. Plans are under development to
divert all forensic evaluation admissions to these
hospitals. Further consolidation and redesign of the
location for forensic evaluation services is anticipated as
the planning progresses.
6. For persons
who are not yet ready for discharge in the community and who
are currently hospitalized at Quincy Mental Health Center
and Westborough State Hospital, transition plans will be
developed for their transfer to either the Hawthorne Units
at Tewksbury Hospital or Taunton State Hospital.
7. Options for
the location of Child and Adolescent programs that are
currently on the grounds of Westborough State Hospital are
currently under consideration. A decision will be made
regarding the placement of these services around
mid-September, 2009.