Pence Unveils Plans For Mental Health ‘Centerpiece’
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowGovernor Mike Pence announced plans Wednesday for a new, $120 million neuro-diagnostic institute. Pence says the center will provide major advancements to the state’s public mental health delivery system.
The Indiana Neuro-Diagnostic Institute is scheduled to be open to patients in late 2018. It will be located on the campus of Community East Hospital in Indianapolis and will replace one of the state’s six current facilities, Larue Carter Hospital, which will be phased out of operation.
The governor’s office says the institute will have 159 beds and should have the capacity to treat 1,500 patients each year. The institute will be operated in partnership with Community Health network.
“This new institute will serve as the centerpiece of our ongoing commitment to improve mental health care and address the scourge of addictions in Indiana,” said Governor Pence. “This new institute is another part of our strong commitment to improving health care in Indiana and to caring for our most vulnerable fellow citizens, including those living in poverty, with disabilities and impaired from psychiatric illnesses, brain diseases and addictions.”
The governor’s office says the state will be better equipped to deliver expert neuro-diagnostic evaluations and treatment for patients. Indiana Family and Social Services Administration Secretary Dr. John Wernert says precise and comprehensive diagnosis drives more effective treatment and better outcomes for patients.
“As a practicing psychiatrist, I recognize that advances in brain research and clinical care of mental disorders have made it imperative that we strive to significantly move our public mental health delivery system forward,” said Dr. Wernert. “FSSA is engaged in an ongoing effort to integrate the state’s mental health facilities and other elements of the public mental health system into a comprehensive, integrated mental health network. This new, cutting-edge neuro-diagnostic treatment center will complement the development of the state-operated facility network and significantly improve the quality of care.”
Construction on the Indiana Neuro-Diagnostic Institute will begin in April.