San Francisco plans 408 new beds to address mental health facility wait times
March 24, 2022 | San Francisco County, California
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San Francisco County officials are taking significant steps to address the growing crisis of wait times for mental health facilities, particularly for individuals in need of conservatorship. During a recent government meeting, it was revealed that wait times for locked subacute facilities have doubled, with the San Francisco Healing Center experiencing a staggering fivefold increase. This alarming trend underscores the urgent need for more mental health beds in the county.
In response to these challenges, San Francisco is planning to add 408 new beds through repurchasing or contracting with various facilities. However, it is important to note that these beds will not primarily serve conservatorship needs. Of the new beds, only 137 have been identified as suitable for individuals under conservatorship, with just 44 designated for the most acutely ill patients.
The meeting highlighted a concerning decline in available beds over the past decade, with the number dropping significantly from previous years. As of the end of the 2020-2021 fiscal year, only 280 beds were available, a stark contrast to the higher numbers recorded in 2012-2013. While there was a plan to increase 31 locked subacute beds in the current fiscal year, only 20 of those have been secured so far.
Officials emphasized the importance of understanding the population in need of these services. Data from fiscal year 2019-2020 indicated that 314 individuals had multiple psychiatric emergency admissions, yet only 135 were referred for LPS conservatorship, highlighting a gap in service provision.
To tackle these issues, the Department of Public Health (DPH) has been tasked with providing a report to the board this fiscal year. This report will focus on the beds acquired, barriers to securing additional beds, and updates on occupancy and wait times by bed type.
As San Francisco moves forward with these initiatives, the community can expect a concerted effort to improve mental health services and reduce wait times, ultimately aiming to provide better care for those in need.
In response to these challenges, San Francisco is planning to add 408 new beds through repurchasing or contracting with various facilities. However, it is important to note that these beds will not primarily serve conservatorship needs. Of the new beds, only 137 have been identified as suitable for individuals under conservatorship, with just 44 designated for the most acutely ill patients.
The meeting highlighted a concerning decline in available beds over the past decade, with the number dropping significantly from previous years. As of the end of the 2020-2021 fiscal year, only 280 beds were available, a stark contrast to the higher numbers recorded in 2012-2013. While there was a plan to increase 31 locked subacute beds in the current fiscal year, only 20 of those have been secured so far.
Officials emphasized the importance of understanding the population in need of these services. Data from fiscal year 2019-2020 indicated that 314 individuals had multiple psychiatric emergency admissions, yet only 135 were referred for LPS conservatorship, highlighting a gap in service provision.
To tackle these issues, the Department of Public Health (DPH) has been tasked with providing a report to the board this fiscal year. This report will focus on the beds acquired, barriers to securing additional beds, and updates on occupancy and wait times by bed type.
As San Francisco moves forward with these initiatives, the community can expect a concerted effort to improve mental health services and reduce wait times, ultimately aiming to provide better care for those in need.
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