Camden-Clark in Parkersburg to Develop Psychiatric Unit

U.S.A. West Virginia

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

Camden-Clark in Parkersburg to Develop Psychiatric Unit

By Harris, Linda

Monday, 16 October 2006, 03:00 CDT

Camden-Clark Memorial Hospital in Parkersburg is spending $2.4 million to develop a 19-bed adult psychiatric unit.

Camden-Clark spokesman Greg Smith said the decision comes at the urging of the Department of Health and Human Resources as well as Wood County commissioners, groups that saw a need for a locally based inpatient treatment program. Psychiatric services had been available through St. Joseph's Hospital, but the hospital closed that unit in 2003, Smith said.

"Since then, there's been no local facility in which to seek inpatient psychiatric treatment," Smith said. "Patients diagnosed as needing in-patient care were being transported more than 70 miles away from home" for treatment.

from: http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/693763/camdenclark_in_parkersburg_to_develop_psychiatric_unit/index.html?source=r_health

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

70 miles, that's crazy.

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Well, maybe the staff will have a place to go when they are "depressed

and feeling overloaded."

There is a closer psych unit, but it is in the state of Ohio, I guess the two states do not want to work out a payment plan for WV clients. Especially those on state benefits.

St. Joseph's is one of the HCA facilities put up for sale.

Marie, many, many people drive that far or more to get everyday care here.

Many people I know drive 40 or more miles to see their PCP. Remember, we are a rural state, older facilities, not much to attract new physicians.

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.
Marie, many, many people drive that far or more to get everyday care here.

Many people I know drive 40 or more miles to see their PCP. Remember, we are a rural state, older facilities, not much to attract new physicians.

I spent almost half of my life growing up in West Va, and my family is still there. I know how rural most areas are.

I was saying 70 miles is crazy, meaning that, yes, it is crazy that people have to drive that far for treatment. The 70 miles itself would be enough to cause a mental problem (worrying about the gas money to get there, the car, the weather, traffic)

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Yes, Marie, I know you spent a great deal of your life here, I made that comment for those who happen upon this portion of the site and do not know much about the state.

I still find it odd that no mention was made of the psych unit in Marietta, Ohio. A mere 26 miles from Parkersburg and from all the info I have, it is a very credible unit.

Have a great day.

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