VAHHS Update 5/22: Much Needed Mental Health Beds Come Online

Top Stories

New mental health treatment facility opens, and others are in early stages

VTDigger

Several Vermonters with complex mental health needs were transferred to a new locked residential facility in Essex last week, officials from the state Department of Mental Health told legislators.

“It’s staffed and ready to go,” Commissioner Emily Hawes told the House Health Care Committee on Wednesday. “We’re really excited for folks to be engaged in that therapeutic environment.”

The newly constructed River Valley Therapeutic Residence marks a milestone in the state’s long journey to restructure its options for secure mental health care after historic flooding from Tropical Storm Irene in August 2011 closed the Vermont State Hospital. The project adds nine additional residential beds.

Rural hospital to add mental health beds as demand increases

WCAX

A hospital in one of Vermont’s rural regions has more patients with mental health issues than they can keep.

The Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital in St. Johnsbury is currently in the process of adding four beds to its emergency room for mental health patients.

At NVRH, CEO Shawn Tester said patients needing mental health help are staying longer, a little more than 27 hours in 2022 compared to nearly 24 hours in 2021.

“What would end up happening is they sit in our emergency department for hours and days on end. I had one person who spent 200 hours in the department just a few short weeks ago,” said Tester.

That’s why they’re looking to expand.

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Vermont State University receiving $6.3M to expand nursing programs

NBC5

The region is in critical need of more health care workers.

Vermont State University is receiving a new grant in the millions to expand its nursing programs.

The state college system is receiving $6.3 million.

Over the next five years, their student enrollment capacity will be increasing more than 250 seats, by expanding the current facilities state-wide.

Lyndon's campus will benefit from the construction of a new clinical nursing education center.

Development plans are also in the works for their Castleton, Johnson, Rutland, and Williston locations.

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Partnership tests Vt. virtual tech and trains future nurses

WCAX

Vermonters helping Vermonters -- that’s the message as Castleton University nursing students beta-test virtual reality technology for a local entrepreneurial venture. Tacitly, a Rutland-based extended reality company, is working on training materials for the health care field. While their product is being developed, Vermont nursing students are getting a seat at the table.

The students might physically be standing in Castleton University but their heads are in a hospital.

“It’s kind of like video games, but not just strange -- getting the handle of your environment because you know it’s not real. But you don’t want to bump into a wall or your neighbor or something,” said Rafael Robles, a Castleton University student.

In one class, students manipulate what’s called a code cart in the nursing world.

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Vermont Conversation: In war on doctors, Vermont OB-GYNs strive to be 'a beacon of light and hope'

VTDigger

The war on doctors is underway in Republican-led states, and numerous physicians are fleeing for safer ground.

Thirteen states have criminalized nearly all abortion care. More than 500 bills have been proposed targeting LGBTQ+ care, including many that criminalize gender-affirming care. Obstetricians and gynecologists, or OB-GYNs, who routinely perform abortions and provide health care to LGBTQ+ people, have been a particular target of these laws and bills.

Idaho is a case in point. Soon after the U.S. Supreme Court passed the Dobbs decision that ended the constitutional right to an abortion, Idaho passed a law allowing family members of a patient to sue providers who perform an abortion for at least $20,000. Doctors also face suspension of their medical license, felony charges and prison.

Other News

SVMC's renal dialysis unit earns coveted 5-star rating

Northwestern Medical Center's cancer program earns accreditation from American College of Surgeons

RRMC nurses honored with DAISY Award for extraordinary nurses

More apartments are coming in South Burlington for UVM Health Network employees

Mark Your Calendar

Breastfeeding for New Parents

Save the date for the 2023 Annual Meeting, Community Connections: September 21 and 22.