A federal judge has given New Hampshire a year to stop the practice of keeping mentally ill patients against their will for long periods of time in hospitals. The order came months after the judge ruled the practice unconstitutional. Mental health advocacy groups said this was a problem. The order, which has plagued New Hampshire for the past decade, should bring about some change within the next year, they said. “These experiences can be traumatic at times,” says NAMI New Hampshire Executive Director Susan Stearns. “People often spend days, even weeks, in rooms without windows.” It all started with a lawsuit. If you show up to the emergency room feeling a mental health crisis, you may be admitted if the danger arises. They are then transferred to a state hospital or designated reception facility. U.S. District Judge Landia McCafferty said the state violated the rights of hospitals because the government would seize the hospital’s property if it reserved beds for mentally ill patients. “Judge McCafferty’s permanent injunction in federal district court is an important step forward for patients suffering from acute mental illness and their families,” New Hampshire Hospital Association spokeswoman Vanessa Stafford said in a statement. “The permanent injunction requires the Director to conclusively terminate the act of admission to a critical care hospital no later than 12 months from the date of the injunction and, importantly, to the Director. , requiring the acceptance of involuntary emergency hospital patient transfers within six hours of the completion of the action, according to the IEA certificate. DHHS spokesman Jake Leung said in a statement, “Hospital emergency rooms.” “We are committed to working with stakeholders in the mental health system to eliminate boarding.” “Our priority remains the health, safety and well-being of people living with mental health conditions…We will consider all options available to comply with the order.” Department Communications Director Jake Leung The Hampshire Department of Justice, which represents the state in legal proceedings, said it was reviewing the judge’s order and would respond in court if necessary. To reach Granite State mental health resources and support, please contact [email protected] or 800-242. -6264.
A federal judge has given New Hampshire a year to stop the practice of involuntary hospitalization of mentally ill patients for long periods of time.
The order came months after the same ruling ruled the act unconstitutional.
Mental health advocates say it’s a problem that’s plagued New Hampshire for the past decade, but the order should see some change in the next year.
“These experiences can be traumatic at times,” says NAMI New Hampshire Executive Director Susan Stearns. “People can spend days, even weeks, in a windowless room.”
The judge’s order was issued by the Department of Health and Human Services in connection with involuntary emergency hospital admissions, in which a person who shows up in an emergency room feeling a mental health crisis could be detained if it poses a risk. It stems from a lawsuit filed against
They will then be transported to a state hospital or designated reception facility.
U.S. District Judge Landia McCafferty said states violated the rights of hospitals because the government would seize hospital property if beds were reserved for mentally ill patients.
“Judge McCafferty’s permanent injunction in federal district court is an important step forward for patients suffering from acute mental illness and their families,” New Hampshire Hospital Association spokeswoman Vanessa Stafford said in a statement. “The permanent injunction requires the Director to conclusively terminate the act of admission to a critical care hospital no later than 12 months from the date of the injunction and, importantly, to the Director. , requiring the acceptance of involuntary emergency inpatient transfers within 6 hours of the completion of the measures, which require an IEA certificate.”
The new order says states can only hold people in emergency rooms for up to six hours. The patient must then be transferred to a facility for treatment.
DHHS spokesman Jake Leung said in a statement that it is “committed to working with stakeholders in the mental health system to eliminate hospital emergency room boarding.” “Our priority remains the health, safety and well-being of those living with mental health conditions…We will consider all possible options to comply with the order.”
Jake Leung, Communications Director, Department of Health and Human Services
The New Hampshire Department of Justice, which represents the state in legal proceedings, said it was reviewing the judge’s order and would respond in court if necessary.
To reach out to Granite State mental health resources and support, please contact [email protected] or 800-242-6264.
