Tensions flared at a Minnesota Department of Health hearing Wednesday over Lake Region Healthcare’s decision to close Bridgeway’s inpatient behavioral health unit in Fergus Falls.
LHR leaders cited staffing shortages, rising costs and declining patient volume for the closure. The hospital will continue to provide outpatient mental health services, but will now partner with other inpatient units in the region, including the inpatient unit in Fargo.
LRH CEO Ken Mattson said he understood the public’s concerns about the closure.
“We respect and recognize these very real emotions, these authentic emotions, and we empathize with the human element surrounding this change,” Mattsson said in his opening remarks.
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“Believe me, this decision was not made lightly. And while the outcome was not what everyone had hoped for, our community-based, values-based healthcare organization , we had to make the tough decision to close the ward.”
Ethan Johnson, a teacher at the alternative school in Fergus Falls, said during the public comment portion that Bridgeway was “literally a lifesaver” for some of his students.
“It’s a shame that it’s gone. We’re talking about students falling through the cracks and we keep removing the nets that are supposed to catch them,” he said. “And while there’s always a good reason why they do it, it doesn’t matter when things go wrong.”
Steve McElmurry, a nurse on the unit, said Lake Region Healthcare should have gotten more input from staff before making the final decision.
“I don’t think there was a lot of cooperation,” McElmurry said. “Although it is one of the [hospital’s] values, [it] There didn’t seem to be a lot of cooperation going on with those closest to the ground. So we. ”
Other opponents of the closure said the number of cases is decreasing because of changes in intake protocols. Bridgeway’s inpatient services will close on March 15th.
