Outside help, Inside work
Jan 23rd, 2008 • Category: Newshttp://www.charlotte.com/171
FOR THE RECORD
Outside help, inside work
Reorganization, transparency for N.C. public mental health services
From N.C. Secretary of Health and Human Services Secretary Dempsey
Benton:
As you know, Gov. Easley gave me clear marching orders back in September –
fix the state’s public mental health, developmental disabilities and
substance abuse services system. In the short time I have been here as
secretary, I have noticed too often people were talking past each other, not
to each other. I am going to change that.
Every year, 25,000 people are served through our 14 state facilities.
We owe those folks and their families the best possible service. Every
dollar wasted is cheating the folks who count on us and the taxpayers.
I am moving the state-operated services section out of the Division of
Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services to
report directly to me. This section is responsible for day-to-day direction
of all 14 of the state’s public mental health facilities.
Other changes include:
. A Hospital Management and Operations work group will be convened to work
with the State Hospital Directors. The Committee will be comprised of
individuals external to the department and will include academics, former
state facility managers, advocates, the North Carolina Hospital Association
and private providers. Areas of review will include protocols for violence,
for placement of restraints, and administrative guidelines that can be
consistently implemented throughout the state hospital system.
. A work group will be established to review the implementation of the
state’s Crisis Service System, and the state’s overall strategy for
providing inpatient services (beds) across the state. The group will review
the current implementation activities and refine the definition of the core
level of crisis services which should exist in all areas of the state.
. Creation of a new Web site to improve public understanding of the
activities in the state-operated facilities and to ensure transparency.
The site can accessed at ncdhhs.gov and will be fully operational by the end
of January. It will include a broad array of information, including
admissions/discharge data, patient deaths/injuries and staff injuries.
. Delaying the closing of Dorothea Dix and Umstead hospitals 60 days, giving
the new Broughton Hospital management time to improve operations and also
assuring sufficient time to address any remaining construction issues with
the new hospital.
. Forming an external work group to assess the construction and operational
questions associated with opening of the Central hospital.
The group will meet with the architect and project manager to review these
questioned areas. Also, they will ensure the new facilities at Cherry and
Broughton meet high-quality standards. The group will also review the plan
for the transition of services from Dorothea Dix Hospital and John Umstead
Hospital to the new hospital.
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For The Record offers commentaries from various sources. The views are the
writer’s, and not necessarily those of the Observer editorial board.
! Cheers, Jane