Central and Eastern Kentucky
(2009-10-29)
LEXINGTON
(WEKU) -
Advocates for the mentally ill are enthusiastic about plans and artist renderings of a new Eastern State Hospital. The much-anticipated announcement came at Coldstream Research Campus, the future home of the psychiatric facility.
The 129 million dollar facility will replace the 185 year-old Eastern State complex, the second oldest psychiatric hospital in the US. Governor Beshear says the 230 bed hospital will offer a refreshingly different setting for inpatient treatment.
The new Eastern State hospital will modernize treatment and how services are offered and better equip staff to help individuals transition into the community.
New services will include a geriatric nursing unit as well neuro-behavioral services. Local chapter director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Kelly Gunning is confident the new hospital will become a reality. She says 'everyone is behind it 100%.' Groundbreaking is scheduled next summer with an opening slated for 2012.
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