A hospital in Jackson is ending its Behavioral Health Services, including its inpatient treatment programs. The resulting closure of the St. Dominic Hospital Behavioral Health Services will force the layoffs of 157 employees.
Democratic candidate for governor Brandon Presley is using the news to point to what he said is Gov. Tate Reeves’ failure to address the healthcare crisis in Mississippi.
St. Dominic Hospital Behavioral Health Services stopped taking admissions at the facility at 7 a.m. Tuesday, June 6. Financial issues are said to be the reason for the move, the hospital said.
“After a thorough assessment of our staffing and services and following losses of several million dollars in the last 3-5 years, St. Dominic’s has determined the immediate need to make significant changes to best serve the patients of central Mississippi and ensure the long-term sustainability of St. Dominic’s,” a statement read.
Care and treatment for current inpatients would continue as the hospital works to make a transition.
“Select positions from various service areas will be eliminated in addition to continued focus on improving patient experience and efficiencies within hospital operations,” according to the hospital statement.
The 157 layoffs are a mixture of full-time, part-time and PRN personnel, or about 5.5 percent of the hospital’s total workforce.
Presley’s campaign released a statement Tuesday morning, June 6, saying the healthcare crisis is real and is damaging the state’s people and economy.
“Almost every day, we hear about a hospital cutting critical healthcare services or threatening to close its doors completely,” Presley said. “Mississippians know that Tate Reeves isn’t interested in fixing this problem, and his failed record proves it. I’m running for governor to fix this mess, get our healthcare systems back on track, provide healthcare to 220,000 working Mississippians, and keep our hospitals open.”
