OTTUMWA — The local hospital will soon be without a mental health unit.
Ottumwa Regional Health Center leaders announced the change late Monday afternoon. The hospital has provided adult inpatient mental health services for several years but said it will close as soon as patients can be discharged or referred to other facilities.
In a press release, ORHC CEO Tom Siemers said Ottumwa Regional has joined a “growing and unfortunate trend of hospital-based mental health services nationwide,” which cannot achieve sustainable programs due to the inability to recruit and retain necessary staff.
“Iowa is suffering from shortages of a wide range of health professionals but none is more severe than the shortage of hospital-based psychiatrists, especially in rural areas,” Siemers said. “Sadly, Ottumwa Regional isn’t immune to these challenges.”
Siemers also said one of the physicians has chosen to relocate to an urban setting. Another doctor is experiencing visa delays and that leaves the hospital with only one adult psychiatrist.
Hospital staff reported that a recent University of Iowa registry shows that 156 of Iowa's 230 active psychiatrists practice in or around the state's six biggest cities. The Iowa City and Des Moines areas
account for 107 of those. Iowa has about 65 openings for psychiatrists.
The shortage in Iowa seems more pronounced than elsewhere. Recent task-force research from the Mercy Medical Center in Dubuque suggests Iowa has half as many psychiatrists per 100,000 residents compared to the national average, which is 7.7 vs 15.8.
The closing will affect 23 full-time associates who will be offered other positions within ORHC depending on qualifications, or will be supported by the human resources department in finding other employment opportunities. Any employees not relocated will be provided with severance benefits.
“There is a critical shortage of recruiting and retaining psychiatrists in the state. Solving this problem will require a high degree of collaboration and leadership from state government, academic institutions, employers and psychiatrists,” Siemers said.
Ottumwa Regional will continue to offer behavioral and mental health services in other areas: Family Recovery Center, Bridge of Hope, behavior health counseling services, outpatient adult psychiatric care and child and adolescent psychiatric care.
Local News
ORHC to shut down mental health unit
- Local News
-
-
Des Moines River finally recedes
The Des Moines River dropped below flood stage just before 2 a.m. Tuesday, the first time it had been that low in 80 days.
-
Helping hands reach out: Volunteers step up for United Way’s Day of Caring
About 80 volunteers participate in the United Way's annual Day of Caring. The organization also announces its 2010 fundraising campaign goal of $740,000.
-
Pep rally for the big game brings out the passion
Gathering in Albia for stop by WHO-TV sports team impresses TV personalities. The group is on an RV tour on their way to Iowa City for the Iowa-Iowa State football game Saturday.
-
Iowa Mortgage Help Hotline can help resolve problems
During visit to Ottumwa, Iowa attorney general urges Iowans to reach out to the government help hotline if they have problems with their mortgage. Iowa's foreclousure rates are on the upswing again.
-
Wapello County attorney resigns
This Friday, Wapello County Attorney Allen Cook will work his last day as the county’s top prosecutor, and county supervisors are questioning how to fill the position.
-
Dog ordinance passes reading
The Ottumwa City Council passed the first reading of an ordinance that would increase the price to license a dog from $2 to $5 and also approved an agreement for city hall improvement.
-
Officials look into three-bus crash at Douds Elementary
The investigation into a chain collision involving three school buses last week continues. At least two Van Buren students were treated and released Friday afternoon following the collision at Douds Elementary.
-
Sculpting a more scenic city
The Ottumwa Area Arts Council installed five sculptures behind Bridge View Center during the weekend as part of the Ottumwa Sculpture Trail.
-
Art lovers drawn to festival
The third annual Walk on Art Street expanded on past events with 65 booths and beautiful weather for shoppers and artists Saturday in downtown Ottumwa.
-
Candidates promote organized labor
The Southern Iowa Labor Council, AFL-CIO, sponsored a Labor Day picnic Sunday with the support of the Wapello County Democrats and visits from local, state and national political candidates.
- More Local News Headlines
-
