Strong adds adolescent psychiatry beds

he New York State Office of Mental Health has approved plans for Strong Memorial Hospital to temporarily convert 10 inpatient psychiatry beds, which are currently licensed for occupancy by adult patients, to adolescent beds.

The state approved Strong's emergency plan while it considers proposals for a permanent reassignment of 12 inpatient adolescent psychiatry beds from The Genesee Hospital.

"Strong made it a priority to find an interim solution because the demand has been so acute," said Eric Caine, chair of psychiatry at the Medical Center.

By temporarily converting 10 beds for adolescent use, Strong will be able to admit up to 25 children and adolescents to its inpatient psychiatry services.

Caine said that while demand for adolescent mental health care tends to wane in the summer, it is important to have services in place before September when demand rises.

Strong Behavioral Health, the mental health arm of Strong Health, also has submitted an application for permanent certification of 12 new child and adolescent psychiatry beds, including the 10 emergency beds just approved.

If the state OK's Strong's proposal, the hospital will operate 66 adult beds and expand the child and adolescent psychiatry inpatient capacity to a total capacity of 27. The state is expected to make a decision within the next four months.

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