The public was invited to participate in a hearing held by the Minnesota Department of Health over the proposed transfer of Allina Health’s adolescent mental health unit. Strong criticism of Allina’s decision to relocate the unit from United Hospital in St. Paul to Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis was voiced by members of the community and medical professionals during the session. An internal document disclosing the relocation earlier this year raised worries about the additional strain on families requiring inpatient care for their children, which led to the issue.
Photo from Mind Help
Community Outcry
During the virtual conference, residents—Ann from Inver Grove Heights among them—voiced their distress over the relocation, highlighting the enormous burden placed on parents and families who now have to travel across cities in order to receive necessary mental health services.
Families who depended on the services and state regulators were not notified beforehand, and Allina Health was criticized for this. The purpose of the public hearing is to address worries and get input from the community on how the relocation would affect things.
Public hearings are required by state law for certain hospital service relocations or closures. Given that the healthcare organization acknowledged misinterpreting the rules, Allina might have been fined $1,000 for missing the hearing on Thursday.
READ ALSO: Allina criticized during public hearing for relocation of adolescent mental health unit
Allina’s Response and Admission
Dr. Mary Beth Lardizabal, Vice President of Mental Health and Addiction Services at Allina, said the agency had broken state law in an earlier interview with 5 INVESTIGATES, but she blamed it on a misinterpretation.
According to Allina, there won’t be a general decrease in mental health services as a result of the move. The organization seeks to resolve issues brought forth by the community and guarantee the availability of critical mental health services.
READ ALSO: Allina failed to alert state when it shuttered mental health unit for kids
