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MONTGOMERY – The Alabama Department of Mental Health announced today that Greil Memorial Psychiatric Hospital will close on August 31, 2012. While the closure of Greil and Searcy hospitals was announced this past April, the closing date of Greil was made official this morning. No official date has been given for the closing of Searcy Hospital. Currently, Greil currently serves 62 patients and employs 119 workers.
Per the Olmstead vs. L.C U.S. Supreme Court decision, ADMH is moving patients and consumers from traditional hospitals to community-based care. That decision states that individuals with mental disabilities have the right to live in the community rather than in institutions. As ADMH continues to be successful in implementing this practice, it will continue to oversee the transition of consumers into the community.
It is, however, important to note that not every individual at Greil will be placed in the community. The state recognizes some individuals will need to stay in a hospital. For those individuals who do not meet the needs of being placed in community care, they will be transferred to another state hospital. Greil Hospital will continue to receive new admissions until mid-August.
ADMH is also working with the employees at Greil to find employment as the August 31 deadline approaches. Career fairs and additional job training are examples of services the department is offering to Greil employees. The department will utilize a closure team to finalize administrative and logistical procedures at the Greil facility following the closure of the hospital.
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For more information, visit http://mh.alabama.gov
For more state-wide press releases, click here
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