GOUVERNEUR – St. Lawrence Health System’s Gouverneur Hospital has received $1.6 million from the New York State Transformation Grant, said a press release from the SLHS.

The money will support a major renovation of Gouverneur Hospital’s former inpatient suite on its first floor (currently used as office space), in order to provide integrated outpatient substance use disorder and psychiatric services, the press release said.

Professionals will be accessible within one suite at the hospital, and on the same floor as GH’s short-term inpatient detoxification scatter beds and opioid-trained emergency responders.

“Gouverneur Hospital has been a key player in the St. Lawrence Health System’s strategic plan to create sustainable services for the community, and this project is essential in furthering that mission,” stated GH Chief Executive Officer David Bender. “Keeping residents close to home for their care lessens their risks for complications and subsequent unnecessary visits to the Emergency Department.”

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to expand substance use and mental health services in our community. We look forward to providing compassionate, evidence-based treatment to the people of Gouverneur and the surrounding areas,” said Jayme Smith, CPH behavioral health service line director.

St. Lawrence County has the second highest opioid-related hospital admission rate in the state.

This rate has risen more than 60% in the last four years.

The services offered at GH and fellow SLHS institution, Canton-Potsdam Hospital, provide much needed services to those suffering from substance use disorder by connecting them to mental health care, primary care, and creating a full continuum of care, the press release said.

For information on GH’s inpatient detoxification services, call 315-261-5969; for CPH’s inpatient rehabilitation substance use disorder services, call 315-261-5954; and for CPH’s outpatient substance use disorder services, call 315-353-2572.