The board wants the state to appoint a special bipartisan task force to explore what it called the adverse effects the closing will have on the state psychiatric population.
Kathy Kane, of Asbury, a human resources technician at Sen. Garrett W. Hagedorn Psychiatric Hospital, left, and other members of AFSCME Local 2212 protest the planned closing of the facility as they gather in May along Route 31 in Lebanon Township, near Hampton. Hagedorn is one of two state-run hospitals being shuttered to help close a $10.7 billion state deficit. Vineland Developmental Center-West Campus in Vineland, N.J., is also being closed to save the state about $160,000, according to the governor's budget summary.
The board of trustees this morning called on state legislators to appoint a special bi-partisan task force to explore the "adverse effects" the closing will have on the state psychiatric population. The board also asserted the closure really isn't going to save the state any money because it is such a well run hospital.
The proposed closing of the 310-bed Lebanon Township hospital, which primarily houses elderly patients, has drawn criticism from mental health advocates, families of patients and hospital staff. The groups have raised concerns about where the patients will be transferred and whether many are ready for community placement.
Employees and patient family members echoed those concerns during the public portion of the hearing repeatedly speaking in favor of keeping the hospital open.
Read past coverage of the closure here.