The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) and Rowan University have signed an agreement marking a collaborative effort to expand and improve mental health care at Ancora Psychiatric Hospital.

Scheduled to commence this month, this partnership is aimed at reinforcing psychiatric services in South Jersey by integrating academic medicine into one of the state's principal behavioural health facilities.

New Jersey health commissioner Kaitlan Baston said: “By combining Rowan's academic resources with Ancora's specialised care, we're bolstering a vital safety net for New Jersey families when they need it most."

Ancora Psychiatric Hospital, a 515-bed facility in Hammonton, will benefit from the addition of physicians from Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine's (SOM) Department of Psychiatry.

This strategic move addresses a critical need for psychiatric care in the region and leverages the hospital's specialised units that cater to a range of needs, including psychiatric treatment and support for co-morbidities.

Ancora Psychiatric Hospital CEO Christopher Morrison said: "This collaboration marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for mental health care in South Jersey.

"By partnering with Rowan, we're not just addressing immediate staffing needs – we're creating opportunities to enhance the quality of care while building a stronger pipeline of psychiatric professionals dedicated to serving our community."

The agreement stipulates that Rowan-Virtua SOM will provide up to six psychiatrists to Ancora, thereby increasing the hospital's capacity to deliver specialised psychiatric care.

This collaboration will also introduce modern, evidence-based practices to the hospital's treatment programmes.

The integration of academic medicine represents an advancement in state psychiatric care, merging clinical expertise with research. This approach is expected to not only improve patient outcomes but also offer training opportunities in the field of psychiatry.