Problems In Phasing Out a Large Public Psychiatric Hospital
ALEX STEWART M.B., CH.B., D.P.M.1,
H. G. LAFAVE M.D., C.M.2,
F. GRUNBERG M.D., D.P.M.3, , and
M. HERJANIC M.D.4
1 Medical director, Saskatchewan Hospital, Weyburn, Saskatchewan, Canada
2 Associate commissioner, New York State Department of Mental Hygiene, Albany, N. Y.
3 Deputy commissioner for mental retardation, Department of Mental Hygiene, Albany, N. Y.
4 Assistant professor, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Mo.
The four community mental health centers now providing comprehensive services in southern Saskatchewan have contributed to a dramatic decline in the patient population of the state hospital at Weyburn, and there are strong indications that the hospital will be phased out in coming years. Results from two follow-up studies indicate that many former long-term patients are being managed adequately in the community. Community concern about the economic consequences of the hospital's decline has been partially alleviated by the conversion of vacated hospital facilities into a vocational training school serving former patients as well as the local population.
