Providence and Fairfax Behavioral Health Take Steps for New Psychiatric Hospital in Thurston County

providence st peter hospital
Providence St. Peter Hospital has filed a letter of intent in partnership with Fairfax Behavioral Health to open an 85-bed, freestanding psychiatric hospital in Thurston County. Photo courtesy: Providence.
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Submitted by Providence St. Peter Hospital

Providence St. Peter Hospital and Fairfax Behavioral Health are in consideration of developing an 85-bed freestanding psychiatric hospital in Thurston County. We submitted a joint letter of intent with the Department of Health on Friday, April 22, opening the door for the parties to file a certificate of need application toward the end of May.

As you know, behavioral health services are regularly identified as a significant need in our region. However, the capacity to care for patients in our area has not kept pace with demand, and the overall need is projected to increase for the foreseeable future.

  • More than 67,000 adults in Thurston County have a mental health condition.
  • 82 percent of the homeless population surveyed in Olympia report having a persistent mental health condition. The average length of time these individuals have lived in Thurston County is 15 years.
  • The ratio of population to mental health providers in Thurston County is 520:1, compared to 380:1 in Washington.
  • More than 10 percent of the patients who come to the Providence St. Peter Hospital Emergency Department need behavioral health services (approximately 22 each day).

Providence identified the opportunity to greatly improve and expand access to behavioral health services in Southwest Washington by partnering with an established international entity, Universal Health Services, Inc., which regionally includes Fairfax Behavioral Health. Providence has already established partnerships with Fairfax in Everett and in Spokane.

“This free-standing hospital will allow us to expand the existing services that Providence already provides and fill a gap in the community,” says Medrice Coluccio, chief executive for Providence in Southwest Washington.

Fairfax’s history spans more than 80 years and reflects a similar commitment as Providence to the poor and vulnerable. This partnership aligns with our core strategy of “creating healthier communities, together,” which calls for identifying like-minded partners to meet the needs of the community.

Providence St. Peter Hospital Crisis Services Department (located in the St. Peter Hospital Emergency Center) is the only one of its kind in the five-county service area of Thurston, Lewis, Mason, Grays Harbor and Pacific counties. It is regularly at capacity, and unable to accept additional patients from Thurston County and beyond.

“The addition of a freestanding psychiatric hospital will be particularly crucial in assisting the surrounding rural communities that do not have the necessary staff or facilities to treat and care for this patient population,” added Coluccio.

By partnering with Fairfax, Providence can expand access to behavioral health care. The new hospital will be well connected with the providers and services available at Providence clinics and hospitals in Thurston, Lewis, Grays Harbor and Mason counties, creating a seamless care experience for patients.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our two organizations to bring the full scope of our expertise and resources to address an identified need in southwest Washington,” says Ron Escarda, Fairfax Behavioral Health chief executive officer. “Fairfax is excited about having the opportunity to utilize its knowledge and expertise in the provision of behavioral health services to the Thurston County community, and working in partnership with Providence St. Peter Hospital to serve these patients and their families.”

Once the CON application is submitted, a definitive ruling from the DOH could take several months. The entire process to obtain CON approval and build a freestanding psychiatric hospital may require a few years.

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