X

St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center will become 'Regional Center of Excellence,' inpatient care will continue in Ogdensburg

Posted 12/19/13

By JIMMY LAWTON St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center will become a Regional Center of Excellence and maintain its adult and inpatient services. St. Lawrence County Legislative Chairman John Putney said …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center will become 'Regional Center of Excellence,' inpatient care will continue in Ogdensburg

Posted

By JIMMY LAWTON

St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center will become a Regional Center of Excellence and maintain its adult and inpatient services.

St. Lawrence County Legislative Chairman John Putney said Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo held a video press conference today where he announced the Psychiatric Center would maintain services.

Putney said the facility will maintain all of its children's wards, but the adult beds will be reduced from 65 to 40.

He said 50 respite beds, which are used for temporary stays for outpatients, will be added.

"This is the best possible outcome in my view," Putney said.

The decision came less than two weeks after members of the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center Task Force traveled to Albany to meet with the Cuomo and his staff.

"I think the governor heard our message and it was one that was made with a cooperative effort from the people of the community and elected officials," Puntey said. "This is huge for the North Country."

Putney credited the governor for making good on his promise to review the material following the Albany meeting.

"He agreed to meet with us during the Bassmaster tournament and we are very appreciative that he followed though," Putney said.

Exact details regarding the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center's future were not provided, but Putney said the real news is that St. Lawrence and surrounding counties will still be served by the Ogdensburg facility.

"Quality care remains," he said. "That's what's important here."