RUTLAND, Vt. -
Rutland is taking part in the state's mental health program overhaul.
A former rehabilitation wing at Rutland Regional Medical Center is being converted into a six-bed psychiatric intensive care unit. That's in addition to the hospital's current non-critical in-patient psychiatric unit. The hospital has already admitted about a dozen non-high risk patients from the former State Hospital in Waterbury. Those patients, plus the additional six high risk patients, are expected to move into the new facility in March.
"Vermonters that suffer from mental illness are no different than Vermonters who are suffering from any other disease. They want quality care close to home, this is going to make it possible," said Governor Peter Shumlin.
Though funding from FEMA has not yet come through to cover the 5-million dollar project, the Governor says he'll find a way to pay for it.
