| New
Loudoun Hospital Would Aid Mental Health |
|
To the editor:
|
| I am writing as a resident of Loudoun County since 1994
and a practicing mental health professional for over 18 years.
I also support the Broadlands Regional Medical Center (BRMC).
|
| For many years, our residents have had to travel long distances
for quality mental health services. This limits or prevents
family involvement in treatment that is a key aspect in healing
the mind and the body. |
| The services BRMC is offering incorporate the most current
concepts of mental health treatment: emergency room admission
staff that have sensitivity to the needs of people who are
in mental health crisis, treatment programs for children,
adolescents, and adults, and advanced mental health treatment. |
| The treatment programs at Dominion Hospital enjoy a good
reputation among mental health professionals and I have used
them formally and informally as a source of assistance. |
| HCA is demonstrating commitment to the mental health needs
of the Loudoun community and Northern Virginia by proposing
to move 60 mental health beds to Loudoun County. The national
trend is that freestanding mental health hospitals are closing.
They are expensive to operate, insurance coverage for mental
health care is diminishing rapidly, and the model has changed
because mental health is better understood within the context
of a holistic approach to care. |
| Diagnostic imaging, blood tests and internal medicine components
have become key parts to comprehensive services. For these
reason, it is much more efficient to provide mental health
treatment in the context of a general acute care facility. |
| Loudoun residents with mental illnesses with their loved
ones are being offered a wonderful opportunity and should
not be denied the convenience and care we can receive from
Broadlands Regional Medical Center. |
| While I have focused on the mental health aspect in this
letter, I believe we will all benefit from this state-of-the-art
facility in our community. |
| Terri Cavalier |
| Potomac Falls |
