Elmira Psychiatric Center will remain open

ELMIRA—Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Thursday, Dec. 19 the Elmira Psychiatric Center and Greater Binghamton Health Center (GBHC) will remain open to provide adults and children’s services to the local communities. Under a revised plan by the state Office of Mental Health (OMH), the state will expand community services including establishing a specialized Children’s Behavioral Health Center of Excellence for the Southern Tier at the GBHC. The previous plan by the OMH called for closing 162 adult beds and 34 children beds in total for the two facilities.
“Today’s plan to keep the Greater Binghamton Health Center and Elmira Psychiatric Center open is the culmination of tireless efforts by state and local leaders, mental health advocates and the families of patients,” Cuomo said. “Under this new plan, not only is the state keeping beds open for the adults and children who need them in the region, but we are also investing in expanded community services to provide better and more efficient care to patients.”
Under the revised plan, the Elmira Psychiatric Center will maintain 18 beds and the Greater Binghamton Health Center will maintain 16 children beds, for a total of 34 children beds.
“It’s a fantastic development for mental health patients and families throughout the 15-county region that the Elmira Psychiatric Center and the Greater Binghamton Health Center serve,” Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R-C, Corning) and Assemblyman Chris Friend (R-Big Flats) said. “It couldn’t have been delivered at a better time. We’ve appreciated the opportunity to be part of such a coordinated, collective, impressive effort across the region to help save these critical community services and local jobs.”
In addition, under this plan, the Elmira Psychiatric Center will maintain 48 adult beds and add 48 new community residential beds. The Greater Binghamton Health Center will maintain 60 adult beds and add 60 new community residential beds.
“It’s very positive, timely and welcome news to begin the new year,” State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C-Big Flats) said. “From a fiscal and quality-of-service standpoint, we’ve clearly made a convincing case for a stronger role for Elmira and Binghamton in this state’s mental health system. The Cuomo administration listened and, to a significant extent, will reverse course for the foreseeable future. We certainly appreciate Governor Cuomo’s willingness to begin responding to our strong belief that the Elmira Psychiatric Center deserves to remain a cornerstone of regional mental health care, including inpatient care.”