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Hospitals in the Finger Lakes region are expected to receive roughly $3.4 million in state funds to increase inpatient capacity or upgrade existing units. Statewide, $13.7 million has been allocated to help community-based and psychiatric hospitals.
Administered by the state Office of Mental Health, the funding will help health care providers undertake various projects, including three to increase bed capacity and 10 others to improve the patient experience, state officials say.
“Community-based hospitals and privately operated psychiatric facilities are important components in our effort to ensure all New Yorkers have access to the full continuum of mental health care,” says Gov. Kathy Hochul. “This funding will help spur capital projects that increase bed capacity and improve the patient experience across New York State.”
With a $1.5 million award, University of Rochester Medical Center plans to add six beds, increasing inpatient capacity from 87 beds to 93 beds. It will redesign existing units as well. URMC also received $750,000 to make improvements across units, including group areas.
Clifton Springs Hospital in Ontario County plans to improve its facilities. Its award totals $616,200, while Rochester General Hospital will use $547,183 to create a safe, secure and accessible outdoor therapeutic space for patients at the inpatient psychiatric unit, according to the state.
In total, the Office of Mental Health awarded funding to 13 projects, including four in the Finger Lakes region, three in the Long Island region, five in New York City, and one in Western New York.
“By adding new inpatient beds, expanding services and improving therapeutic environments, we can help more New Yorkers access the high-quality intensive mental health treatment that can help them on the path to recovery,” says Anna Sullivan M.D., OMH commissioner “Our efforts to improve the continuum of care are helping individuals experiencing a mental health crisis to receive immediate care and be connected to services in the community as they recover.”
In January, the Office of Mental Health said it had $23 million in funds available to develop new or expand existing comprehensive psychiatric emergency programs in addition to $20 million to help community-based and psychiatric hospitals increase bed capacity.
“Part of our efforts to strengthen our mental health care system is ensuring any New Yorker in crisis can access treatment services whenever and wherever they need them,” Hochul said at the time. “By expanding psychiatric emergency programs and building more inpatient capacity, we can ensure that anyone who experiences a mental health crisis can get the timely, comprehensive care they can rely on to begin their journey toward recovery.”
Smriti Jacob is Rochester Beacon managing editor.
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If one thinks that, for example, Clifton Springs Hospital can now breath a sign of financial relief…$616,000.00 can’t even buy a CT Scan, let alone operate and provide the service to maintain it. What this Governor Hochul gift is….an effort to get a vote at the next election. You know, see how generous I am with your money. Oh, there is one thing she can do, tax the rich some more. One problem, the rich have had enough and are bailing out. She thinks that’s terrible. Terrible that she can’t squeeze another dollar out of them so she can be the hero and pass it on. Semper Fi.
Seems only large metropolitan hospitals getting the aid……what about rural medical facilities ??
So remind me again why the U of R with literally billions in assets needs taxpayer dollars to fund expansions?