Health Department to Close Two Area Mental Hospitals, Open New Facility

The plan would close both Dorothea Dix Hospital in Raleigh and John Umstead Hospital in Butner. The new hospital would replace the two aging facilities and save the state money.

N.C. officials estimate that the costs of fixing the two hospitals totals $160 million, $77 million for Umstead and $83 million for Dix. The cost of building a new hospital is estimated to be $98 million.

According to plans, the new hospital would include 426 beds and serve 26 counties.

The hospital would be funded by selling certificates of participation, which entitle people who purchase a share to receive a portion of the hospital's lease revenues.

The hospital is planned to be completed in five to six years if passed by the N.C. General Assembly.

Debbie Crane, public affairs director for the Department of Health and Human Services, said the proposed hospital is vital because it would benefit patients by providing more outpatient treatment and specialized care.

Crane said the new facility would be more centrally located, making treatment more accessible.

Plans for the new hospital are part of the state's compliance with a mental health reform bill passed last fall by the General Assembly.

The bill calls for health officials to treat some patients in the community instead of in a mental institution.

But the change in facilities likely would result in some employees losing their jobs.

Approximately 1,400 employees work at Umstead, and the same amount work at Dix.

But the new hospital would only employ 1,000 health professionals, meaning that hundreds of staff members might lose their jobs.

Crane said she hopes that most of the employees will be transferred to the new hospital.

"Many people will be attritioned before the new hospital is built," she said. "We cannot guarantee jobs."

Crane said health care professionals have repeatedly pushed for this move because patient treatment has been lax.

Rep. Verla Insko, D-Orange, said two studies were conducted and both recommended the use of only three hospitals in the state, one in each region. "John Umstead and Dorothea Dix are less than 50 miles apart right now," she said. "This is a very logical, well-researched proposal."

Insko said the new hospital would be more accessible to UNC and Duke University students.

She said many of the concerns accompanying the possible new hospital include commuting, the historic value of Dorothea Dix Hospital and the risk that mental patients will be turned out into the street.

"There will most likely be resistance," Insko said, adding that health officials also would offer more community programs to better treat some patients.

She said employees would be placed elsewhere if needed. "We have pledged to help place people in health-related employment opportunities," Insko said.

Dr. Patricia Christian, John Umstead Hospital chief executive officer, said the plan would be a positive move for patients because of the hospital's many problems.

She said, "We use steam heat, the roofs leak, and there is constant upkeep."

The State & National Editor can be reached at stntdesk@unc.edu.