BERLIN, Vt. (WCAX) – The state is closing four inpatient beds at the Vermont Psychiatric Hospital and eliminating three recovery services positions, a move raising concerns among lawmakers and people in the criminal justice system.<\/p>\n
The Department of Mental Health did not say exactly why, other than to eliminate vacant positions at the facility from the state budget.<\/p>\n
The department said that over the last five years, it has never achieved its 25-bed capacity, in part because it has not been able to hire enough staff to care for patients.<\/p>\n
The department declined a request for an interview, but a spokesperson said, \u201cThe goal was to eliminate vacant positions whenever possible and focus on positions assigned to the unoccupied unit.\u201d<\/p>\n
But some prosecutors are gravely concerned about losing beds at the secure facility.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving that available when it\u2019s needed is crucial for the health and safety of that patient and defendant and public safety,\u201d Washington County State\u2019s Attorney Michelle Donnelly said.<\/p>\n
Donnelly said a judge can order that someone be placed in state custody at the psychiatric hospital under certain circumstances.<\/p>\n
She said if the beds are closed or taken off-line permanently, it will only put more strain on other facilities– like the Brattleboro Retreat– and the mental health care system overall.<\/p>\n
\u201cClosing a facility or even a few beds and staffing at the highest level of care is really troubling because it\u2019s going to have a trickle-down effect on what\u2019s available at the mid and lower care ends of the spectrum,\u201d Donnelly said.<\/p>\n
The closure of the beds comes just a year after Central Vermont Medical Center, located next door, closed its entire inpatient mental health wing.<\/p>\n
The cuts are effective immediately.<\/p>\n
The Vermont State Employees\u2019 Association has also circulated a petition urging the department to reverse the cuts.<\/p>\n
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