Tucson, AZ

Recently it was reported that Palo Verde Behavioral Health hospital was closing their pediatric ward to make more room for the adult mental health population that is growing and in constant need of inpatient beds. That leaves Sonora Behavioral Health the only local facility that will be handling pediatric and adolescent patients.

The Arizona Daily Star reported that the need for adult inpatient services is growing while the need for pediatric services is seeing a small decline. Potentially, if the need is urgent, children could be sent to Phoenix for care if beds are not available. Currently, when the spots are full, some children spend the night in the hallways and bays in the Emergency Rooms around the city until a space becomes available the next morning.

The closure creates a hardship on some families who lack the transporation to get to Sonora Behavioral Health which is located on the northwest side of Tucson. The goal of many programs is to have the family involved in their child’s care. Mental health issues affect the entire family. With the closure of the Palo Verde children’s section, run by TMC, many families will undergo hardships beyond the toll of dealing with their child’s illness.

TMC also recently closed Generations - the elderly psychiatric care program that was at El Dorado Hospital. Those patient are now part of the regular adult population. One is led to wonder if keeping Generations open may have alleviated some of the demand for adult services and lessening the need to close the children’s section.

Sonora is doing what they can to fill the needs of the pediatric patients, including looking at adding some more beds to their facility. Kino Hospital, run by UMC, is expected to add a voter-approved pediatric facility but that isn’t scheduled to open until 2010. But many are wondering if one facility can effectly serve the needs of the pediatric community.

Palo Verde Behavioral Health, Sonora Behavioral Health, Phoenix, TMC, El Dorado Hospital, Generations