After the unexpected departure of two full-time psychiatrists, roughly 700 patients who receive psychiatric counseling and medication management services from a Pardee Hospital outpatient clinic are being redirected to Blue Ridge Community Health Services for care, according to the Hendersonville Times-News.
Announced by Pardee officials Thursday morning, the outpatient clinic known as PATHS, which stands for Psychiatric and Addictions Therapeutic Healing Services, closed May 1.
According to Pardee spokesperson Adam Fisher, the hospital began sending out letters in March to patients, notifying them of the impending change in their medical home. The clinic closure will not affect the inpatient psychiatric and detoxification services currently offered at the hospital.
“These patients who are seeking services at the outpatient clinic have a behavioral health diagnosis, but are doing well. They are stable, but they just need these ongoing appointments to make sure they are staying on track with lifestyle changes and their medication,” said Denise M. Lucas, vice president of clinical services and chief nursing officer at Pardee Hospital.
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