Company proposes different plan for new psychiatric hospital
A company now claims it has a better proposal for a new psychiatric hospital in Columbia that is more suited to fit patients’ needs.
Last month ABC 17 News reported there were plans for a new psychiatric hospital in south Columbia. The facility for Oceans Healthcare would only focus on adults 55 or older. It would house 60 beds near Grindstone and Highway 63.
But CenterPointe Hospital has filed a different proposal with the state for a larger center with 75 beds, open to any ages. The site would be on Rangeline in north Columbia, just past Smiley.
CenterPointe claims the demand is high across the board. The CEO for CenterPointe Hospital, Buddy Turner says, “The concern here is if the proposal is approved as its currently listed, we would see a lot of patients having to go to emergency rooms for treatment; those patients would then be in emergency rooms, where it’s probably the worst setting for people with psychiatric health issues.”
CenterPointe claims Oceans’ plans are facing opposition from a local neighborhood association. Oceans Healthcare reached out to ABC17 and said the project will fill unmet needs in older adults and provide more than 100 new jobs.
The state will have a hearing on Oceans’ plans Monday. If it is approved, CenterPointe will likely withdraw their application.
