Proposal To Cut Inwood Psychiatric Unit Worries Community

INWOOD, NY — A proposal to remove an Inwood Hospital's psychiatric unit has sparked fear among neighborhood residents and public officials.

New York-Presbyterian Hospital filed plans with the state Department of Health late last year to decertify a 30-bed inpatient psychiatric unit at The Allen Hospital. The hospital, which is located on Broadway near West 220th Street, would replace the unit with a labor and delivery unit, two C-section rooms and neonatal intensive care unit, according to plans filed with the state. The $70 million plan would also allow the hospital to construct four surgical operating rooms and support rooms.

The hospital's plan has local community members, politicians and advocates worried about a loss of mental health resources in Uptown Manhattan and the South Bronx. State Senator Marisol Alcantara and State Assemblywoman Carmen De La Rosa called the plan "deeply worrisome" in a joint statement. The state representatives also cited New York-Presbyterian's previous statements identifying behavioral health services as a priority need in northern Manhattan.

"New York-Presbyterian claims that eliminating the 30 inpatient psychiatric beds at Allen Hospital can be easily absorbed throughout their system. Yet it seems unlikely that Allen Hospital patients would have a convenient, nearby location for them to go for their mental health needs."

The next closest hospital would be Columbia University Medical Center on West 168th Street, which has seen an increase in inpatient discharge rates, according to the joint statement. Aclantara and De La Rosa also doubted that Allen Hospital patients would be able to make the trip to New York-Presbyterian's hospital in White Plains, which houses the majority of the system's psychiatric beds. The statement was also signed by the Manhattan and Bronx borough presidents and three City Council members.

A New York-Presbyterian spokesperson said: "The behavioral health services we provide to the Northern Manhattan community will continue to include inpatient and outpatient care. Patients will be evaluated and receive services where most appropriate for their needs and according to each patient's choice."

Community Board 12, which represents the Inwood and Washington Heights neighborhoods, voted in February to oppose New York-Presbyterian's plans. At a March board meeting a number of residents, including Allen Hospital nurse Anthony Ciampa, shared concerns about the plan.

"Patients that do not have access to care in our community are likely to self medicate w illegal drugs and be perceived as nuisances in the community. They may become homeless and ultimately incarcerated," Ciampa said. "For NewYork-Presbyterian to close its doors to the mentally ill does not reflect the actions of a community hospital."

The state Department of Health is currently evaluating the hospital's plan, a department spokeswoman said.

"The Department of Health and the Office of Mental Health are evaluating both New York Presbyterian's request and public comments on this proposal. Ensuring appropriate access to psychiatric services is our primary goal," spokeswoman Erin Silk said.

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