St. Francis Hospital will close mental health unit

Published 10:00 am Friday, June 27, 2008

St. Francis Hospital will close its voluntary admit mental health unit next spring. The unit currently has 10 beds and has an average daily occupancy of seven patients.

The mental health program will be consolidated with the program at St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma, said Gale Robinette. spokesman for Franciscan Health System, which operates both hospitals.

The program at St. Joseph will be expanded and will serve patients in a more centralized location, Robinette said. The change will improve staff efficiency and allow for the development of more specialized care and programs.