Behavioural health services provider BayCare is set to add a 24-bed inpatient psychiatric and medical unit at the St. Joseph’s Hospital-North Unit for Psychiatry and Medical Services (UPM). It is slated to open in the middle of April.
The new behavioural health unit was announced in February 2022 and a total of $7m was invested in the unit, with $3.5m coming from both Hillsborough County and BayCare to reach the amount.
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Hillsborough County used grant money from the federally-funded American Rescue Plan initiative to help fund their share of the total cost of the health unit.
Hillsborough County Commission chairman Ken Hagan said: “The allocation of these funds by Hillsborough County, along with our partnership with BayCare in this endeavour, will greatly assist in serving individuals with both behavioural health and medical needs.
“The Unit for Psychiatry and Medical Services at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North will treat and deliver care for a patient population in an innovative way.”
The unit will be staffed by registered nurses, mental health technicians, patient care technicians, behavioural health therapists, psychiatrists among others.
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By GlobalDataBayCare director of behavioural health nursing Anthony Santucci said: “Many providers nationally are closing behavioural health programs.
“We’re fortunate that BayCare and its BayCare Board of Trustees are committed to serving our community’s health needs. It’s remarkable we are expanding while others are closing.”
The UPM will address the medical and psychiatric needs of patients concurrently. Usually, medical and psychiatric problems are treated separately in different units.
BayCare currently runs 318 behavioural health inpatient beds at eight locations in four counties of Florida and treats more than 12,000 patients every year.
