Cambridge Health Alliance Mental Health Cut-Backs

 

From a statement on the Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) website:

Mental health services have always been an important part of the CHA mission. The payments we receive for providing these services, however, are much lower than our actual costs. As one of the largest mental health service providers in the state, this has left us with a major financial shortfall that we must address if we are to continue providing these services. In an effort to avoid service cuts, an extensive organizational review was undertaken and many efficiency-enhancing and cost-cutting initiatives were implemented. Unfortunately these measures have not been enough to cover the gap, and we are forced to make reductions to some of our mental health and substance abuse services. We are evaluating many options, and will do the best we can to preserve essential services for patients in our communities. We understand these changes will be difficult, particularly for our patients and dedicated staff, but they are necessary.

Below is a summary key changes.

Inpatient:

• Inpatient Adult Psychiatry- By March 31, 2009, one of the two units at the Cambridge campus (Cahill 3) will close.
• Inpatient Addictions- The Addictions/Detox unit at the Somerville campus will close by June 30, 2009 , but outpatient addictions services will still be available at the Central Street Health Center.
• Inpatient Adolescent Psychiatry - By June 30, 2009, the Adolescent unit will relocate from the Somerville campus to the Cahill 3 space occupied until recently by adult psychiatry.
• Inpatient Geriatric Psychiatry - The Inpatient Geriatric Psych unit at the Somerville campus will close. Services will relocate to the Whidden campus by June 30, 2009 in a unit with a mix of geriatric and adult psychiatric inpatients.

Outpatient:

• CHA will continue to offer outpatient mental health services, and no immediate changes are planned to the types of services offered. However, mental health services that are currently based at CHA primary care sites that are being moved/combined with other practices ( Riverside Health Center and Somerville Primary Care) will also relocate/move.
• Ambulatory psychiatric services and substance abuse services will focus on CHA primary care patients and residents of CHA’s Primary Service Area. Planning is underway to facilitate a transition to local mental health service providers for patients living in other regions of the Commonwealth, in concert with on-going development of new community-based programs by the Department of Mental Health.

Additional information - the CHA Information Service can be reached at 617-575-5700.

-From: http://www.cha.harvard.edu/changes/mentalhealth_summ.shtml, retrieved 5/7/09.

5/09