McCrory Condemns Budget Change to Insure Quick Closing of Mental Hospital

Budget change would pave the way to quickly close Dorothea Dix Hospital

July 10, 2008

WAKE COUNTY NC NEWS -- Republican nominee for governor Mayor Pat McCrory, yesterday condemned a budget change that would pave the way to quickly close Dorothea Dix Hospital. A provision requiring approval from outside inspectors before a new mental hospital could open in Butner was struck from the final state budget yesterday. The following is McCrory's reaction:

"In another secret back room meeting, the political establishment in Raleigh has arrogantly dismissed the welfare of mental health patients and decreed through the budget that the state does not have to comply with the same regulations it places on everyone else.

"Hospitals have to pass rigorous reviews, but apparently not the new mental hospital in Butner where numerous safety concerns have been raised. The Department of Health and Human Services, which is racked with scandal and over $400 million misspent in mental health, will now move forward with closing Dix Hospital and opening Central Regional without independent review.

"It appears from news reports that the department is more interested in converting patient rooms at Dix Hospital into offices than in ensuring the safety of mental patients. This culture of arrogance and corruption in state government leads to closed meetings and decisions to benefit the Raleigh establishment at the expense of our citizens.

"The lieutenant governor rejected my request for help in keeping Dix open to patients by telling me through a letter from her chief of staff that I should correspond with her campaign. Her lack of concern and arrogant refusal to join in a bipartisan attempt to help our mental health patients has led to this secret deal in the budget. It is too late now for the presiding officer of the Senate to issue political statements.

"Keeping Dix open and protecting patients is not a campaign issue. It is a moral issue to provide protection and care for our citizens who unable to protect themselves."

On June 23, McCrory wrote to Gov. Mike Easley, Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue, Senate President Pro Tem Marc Basnight and House Speaker Joe Hackney to urge them to keep Dorothea Dix Hospital open and adequately staffed for another year. McCrory argued this would give the state's next governor the opportunity to implement necessary mental health reforms. He also called on the legislature to keep Dorothea Dix during a June 2 news conference in Raleigh.

"With problems surrounding mental health reform escalating, the administration appears to be implementing changes without proper planning. As a result, hundreds of millions of dollars are being misspent, poor medical treatment is being given to mental health patients, and concerns are rising for the safety of patients and staff in state mental facilities.

"It was reported on June 21 that a patient beat a nurse in the forensics unit of Dorothea Dix Hospital. It is unacceptable to inadequately supervise patients who are among the most violent being treated at Dix. Closing Dix without adequately preparing for handling forensics patients in a secure hospital environment is dangerous for patients, health care workers, and the public.

"I'm writing to ask you to keep Dorothea Dix hospital open and properly staffed for another year. This will give the next governor a chance to evaluate its closing and recommend the best way to address the growing scandal in mental health programs.

"During a June 2 news conference in front of the Legislative Building, I called on the legislature to keep Dix open for another year. I am now calling on you to personally intercede on behalf of the patients, staff, and the public. I understand that a version of the budget has passed the House and the Senate and is now before a joint conference committee to reconcile the two versions. However, inaction during this session could result in tying the hands of the next governor.

"This past week the Wake County Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the N.C. Sheriff Alliance, the N.C. Public Service Workers Union, and a Dix psychologist wrote the legislature requesting Dix be kept open for another year. On Friday, hospital workers again marched on the office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services seeking a delay in the closure.

"I believe that the present problems are not a result of the legislatively passed reforms to provide local care for mental health patients. The scandal is a result of poor planning and implementation of the reforms. The next governor should be given the opportunity to bring new leadership to this area."

Published by:
Rob Cross
mailto:editor@357news.com

# # #