Letter from DMHAS Commissioner Rehmer re: Cedar Ridge Mental Health Services closing

STATE OF CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION SERVICES A Healthcare Service Agency M. JODI RELL GOVERNOR PATRICIA A. REHMER, MSN COMMISSIONER

November 2, 2009

To: The DMHAS Community Earlier this year the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services announced its intent to close Cedar Ridge Mental Health Services, the psychiatric services division of Cedarcrest Hospital in Newington. This plan reflects the philosophy of the department, “that when at all possible, people should recover in the most integrated setting possible.” A major component of this plan is to use funds that in the past have been allocated to maintaining the building, grounds and administrative structure at Cedarcrest and apply them to more opportunities for community living.

We understand that the intent to close Cedar Ridge has created some concern for individuals receiving services at Cedar Ridge and family members. Prior to closure, clients and families will have a chance to sit down with staff to discuss their concerns and outline their wishes. These discussions will help shape the discharge and transition plans that individuals will develop in partnership with staff. For some individuals in the DMHAS system of care, this will mean that they will be able to realize their desire to transition into the community. For others, it will result in a transfer to Connecticut Valley Hospital where we will be increasing inpatient capacity or to another inpatient setting within the DMHAS system of care. As a result of ongoing discharge planning efforts, there are individuals that will be discharged earlier as community living opportunities become available.

The decision to close the campus is in no way a reflection of the quality work done on a daily basis by the dedicated staff at Cedar Ridge. This decision was partially based on the significant physical plant issues and the fact that the Department had as one of its preexisting initiatives an inpatient bed reorganization plan designed to improve the quality of clinical care. It is our intent to blend the best practices and services from Cedar Ridge and Connecticut Valley Hospital, resulting in improved inpatient services.

Closure of the campus is contingent upon approval of a Certificate of Need which is being filed with the Office of Health Care Access. Given that the approval process can be a lengthy one, our planning for the proposed closure will run parallel with the application process. The tentative timeline for campus closure is on or before the end of the state fiscal year. The campus closure would occur in stages, as programs at Cedar Ridge are relocated and the campus is downsized.

We recognize how difficult this process may be and want to minimize the impact, to the degree possible on clients, families and staff. Our intent is to minimize the stress caused as we move towards our goal of helping individuals live a quality life in the community. We will provide regular updates on activities and proposed changes. Additionally we will make ourselves available to answer your questions or concerns. Thank you all, in advance, for your patience, assistance and suggestions.

Sincerely, Patricia A. Rehmer, MSN, Commissioner DMHAS

Paul J. DiLeo, MS, FACHE, Assistant Commissioner

Brenda Thorington, MSN, APRN, CEO Cedarcrest Hospital

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