By Elizabeth Moore — News & Updates
Currently, on the state’s closure list, the Western New York Children’s Psychiatric Center (WNYCPC) is facing a possible shutdown with plans for absorption by the Buffalo Psychiatric Center (BPC), a facility that only serves long-term adult psychiatric patients. New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo may soon sacrifice the health and well-being of WNYCPC’s adolescent patient population for what many see as strictly a shortsighted financial decision.
Governor Andrew Cuomo is currently reviewing legislature that would merge the children’s facility with Buffalo’s adult center. Not only is Buffalo Psychiatric Center’s crowded, urban setting detrimental to the progress of developing adolescents, but disquieted children would be subjected to the whims of troubled, long-term psychiatric patients who are themselves recovering. As recently as 2016, an adult outpatient from Buffalo Psychiatric Center attacked a 14-year-old girl, nearly strangling her to death.
Consolidation of this invaluable resource for the residents of Western New York would put vulnerable adolescents directly in harm’s way, while hampering the recuperation of adult and child patients alike.
Help us prevent the closure of Children’s Psychiatric Center, sign our petition: Prevent Closure of Children’s Psychiatric Center
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The American Health Council is the nation’s only organization with a constituency representative of all sectors of the healthcare industry. From the coasts to the heartland, the American Health Council has drawn Affiliates from major metropolitan hubs and small communities. These Affiliates span generations and have reached different stages of their careers — from recent graduates to retirees. More information about the American Health Council and its mission can be found at: http://americanhealthcouncil.org.
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