Pat McCrory on mental health, Dix

N&O letter 6/27/08 Keep Dix open http://www.newsobserver.com/print/friday/opinion/story/1122013.html

I agree wholeheartedly with your June 24 editorial on the need to keep Dorothea Dix hospital open. Earlier this month, I held a news conference in Raleigh calling on the General Assembly to keep Dix open for another year. On Monday, June 23, I wrote Gov. Mike Easley, Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue, Sen. Marc Basnight and House Speaker Joe Hackney urging them to personally intercede in this matter.

With the problems surrounding mental health escalating, the current administration appears to be implementing changes without proper planning. As a result, hundreds of millions of dollars are being misspent, poor medical treatment is being given to mental health patient, and concerns are rising for the safety of patients and staff in state mental facilities.

It is unacceptable that a nurse was beaten at Dix last week due to inadequate supervision of patients. It would be grossly irresponsible to close the hospital without making the necessary preparations for handling patients in a secure environment.

Dix hospital must be kept open and properly staffed for another year. This will give the next governor a chance to evaluate its closing and recommend the best way to address the growing scandal in mental health programs.

Pat McCrory

Charlotte

http://www.newsobserver.com/print/friday/city_state/story/1122070.html
Under the Dome N&O 6/27/08 :

Dix hospital

Pat McCrory has called for Dorothea Dix hospital to remain open for another year.

In a letter sent this week to Gov. Mike Easley, Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue and other top Democratic leaders, the Republican gubernatorial nominee urged them to keep the Raleigh mental hospital staffed until the next governor could implement mental health reforms.

"I believe that the present problems are not a result of the legislatively passed reforms to provide local care for mental health patients," he wrote. "The scandal is a result of poor planning and implementation of the reforms. The next governor should be given the opportunity to bring new leadership to this area."

In the letter, McCrory says that the recent beating of a nurse at Dix shows there are continuing problems with the state's mental health care system.

From the McCrory website: http://www.patmccrory.com/docs/articles/McCrory-Calls-on-Administration-to-Keep-Dorothea-Dix-Open.html

McCrory Calls on Administration to Keep Dorothea Dix Open
‘Next governor should be given opportunity to bring new leadership to mental health’

Charlotte, N.C. – Mayor Pat McCrory today [June 23, 2008] wrote to Gov. Mike Easley, Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue, Senate President Pro Tem Marc Basnight and House Speaker Joe Hackney to urge them to keep Dorothea Dix Hospital open and adequately staffed for another year. McCrory argued this would give the state’s next governor the opportunity to implement necessary mental health reforms. Below is the text of his letter:

“With problems surrounding mental health reform escalating, the administration appears to be implementing changes without proper planning. As a result, hundreds of millions of dollars are being misspent, poor medical treatment is being given to mental health patients, and concerns are rising for the safety of patients and staff in state mental facilities.

“It was reported on June 21 that a patient beat a nurse in the forensics unit of Dorothea Dix Hospital. It is unacceptable to inadequately supervise patients who are among the most violent being treated at Dix. Closing Dix without adequately preparing for handling forensics patients in a secure hospital environment is dangerous for patients, health care workers, and the public.

“I’m writing to ask you to keep Dorothea Dix hospital open and properly staffed for another year. This will give the next governor a chance to evaluate its closing and recommend the best way to address the growing scandal in mental health programs.

“During a June 2 news conference in front of the Legislative Building, I called on the legislature to keep Dix open for another year. I am now calling on you to personally intercede on behalf of the patients, staff, and the public. I understand that a version of the budget has passed the House and the Senate and is now before a joint conference committee to reconcile the two versions. However, inaction during this session could result in tying the hands of the next governor.

“This past week the Wake County Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the N.C. Sheriff Alliance, the N.C. Public Service Workers Union, and a Dix psychologist wrote the legislature requesting Dix be kept open for another year. On Friday, hospital workers again marched on the office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services seeking a delay in the closure.

“I believe that the present problems are not a result of the legislatively passed reforms to provide local care for mental health patients. The scandal is a result of poor planning and implementation of the reforms. The next governor should be given the opportunity to bring new leadership to this area.”

From McCrory Website: "Policy Statement: Health Care"

http://www.patmccrory.com/docs/issues/Policy-Statement-Health-Care.html

Reform failed reform.
The current mess of our mental health system can be traced back to the “reform” measures backed by Governor Easley in 2001. Unfortunately, these “reforms” have wasted millions of taxpayer dollars, decreased community care, and left our mental health system without accountability. We need to establish citizen councils to review contracts and certify nonprofits; stop closing hospitals and reducing the state’s number of beds available to mental health patients; work with providers and Local Management Entities (LME’s) to meet the needs of local communities for short term care; provide new leadership to help citizens with developmental disabilities, substance abuse, and mental illness to lead productive lives in local communities; and establish clear priorities that will re-introduce accountability, allow interagency coordination, and bring care to those who need it.