PA Secretary of Public Welfare Responds to Warren State Hospital Clos...( HARRISBURG Pa. Sept. 6 -- In res...),Health

HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In response to reports about the potential closure of Warren State Hospital, Public Welfare Secretary Estelle B. Richman today reassured employees that the civil section of the facility would remain open.

"The department has no intention of closing the civil section of Warren State Hospital and will continue to provide the quality level of care in which residents and counties have come to depend," said Richman.

The Department of Public Welfare recently announced plans to close the civil section of Mayview State Hospital and is exploring the consolidation and privatization of forensic services currently provided at Norristown, Mayview and Warren state hospitals. Such a move would enable DPW to improve the delivery of forensic services while saving taxpayer dollars and would not affect the services currently provided in the civil section of Warren State Hospital.

"Ensuring the success of those transitioning to the community from the state hospital must be a collective effort," Richman said. "While we appreciate the advocacy efforts of those concerned about the well-being of individuals living with mental illness, it is imperative that, collectively, we remain focused on promoting recovery for our residents as they face this next step of life beyond the state hospital."

The Department of Public Welfare helps people meet their basic needs by providing health care and other critical support services for children, the elderly, people with chronic diseases, persons with disabilities and low income families and adults in Pennsylvania. DPW is dedicated to promoting, improving, and sustaining the quality of family life; breaking the cycle of dependency while protecting and serving Pennsylvania's most vulnerable citizens. Visit DPW on the Internet at: http://www.dpw.state.pa.us.

CONTACT:

Stacey Witalec

(717) 787-459
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