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Twin Valley patients could begin moving to Cincy soon
Thursday, March 06, 2008
DAYTON — The state could begin moving Twin Valley Behavioral Healthcare patients on Wayne Avenue to a psychiatric hospital in Cincinnati by the end of the month, officials said on Thursday, March 6.
"The earliest date we'll be able to move patients is March 18, but our goal is the end of the month," said Amy Cooper, spokeswoman for the Ohio Department of Mental Health.
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The move to Summit Behavioral Healthcare in preparation of the 110-bed Twin Valley's planned closing June 30 would involve eight patients a week, said Jim Chase, client rights program administrator for Twin Valley.
"I suspected they would start ratcheting this up in a hurry," given the public outcry over the closing, said Chase, who is opposed to the closing. "If they want to accomplish their goal, all they got to do is empty this place as fast as they can and then what are you going to do?"
Twin Valley supporters, which include mental health experts, local hospitals and other community leaders, will hold a public hearing on the proposed closing Friday, March 7, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Dayton Convention Center. ODMH officials are expected to be on hand for the event.
Strickland announced Jan. 31 plans to close Twin Valley and a similar facility in Cambridge to help meet $733 million in projected shortfalls in the state's next two-year budget.
The Democratic governor met Tuesday with Twin Valley supporters who argued closing the Dayton region's only psychiatric hospital would hurt patients who rely on nearby family support for recovery; strain local hospitals ill-equipped to handle serious mental illness; undermine psychiatric and psychology training programs at Wright State University, and cost county government a fortune in transporting forensic cases out of town.
Strickland said he told the group he couldn't make any promises, but he would reflect on their concerns. He also said his office would work with local officials to mitigate any hardships the closing would bring.
• The public hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon Friday, March 7, in Room 202-203 of the Dayton Convention Center at Main and Fifth streets downtown.
Comments and concerns from the hearing will be sent to Gov. Ted Strickland and the Ohio Department of Mental Health, which plan to close the psychiatric hospital June 30 for budget reasons.
Those interested in testifying are asked to contact Sarah Hackenbracht at (937) 689-2519 or shackenbracht@gdaha.org.
