Long Beach : Hospital’s Mental Health Ward Cut From 54 to 5 Beds
Memorial Medical Center of Long Beach has significantly reduced the number of beds in its mental health ward to more accurately reflect what administrators see as the public’s need for the ward’s services.
“It’s strictly a business decision,” hospital spokesman Ron Yukelson said. “(Occupancy) has been low and this is the number of beds we feel we need to adequately serve the community.”
The reduction, which began last week, will ultimately reduce the number of permanent beds in the ward from 54 to 5. Additional beds, Yukelson said, may be made available on an as-needed basis. Yukelson said he expects the reduction to be complete within about three weeks.
“We’re not compromising care,” he said. “In our estimation, this is the size of the program that’s necessary.”
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