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federal government, the Department of Children & Families decided that they would earmark <br /> certain mental health facility beds . GPWH is presently under a court consent decree . He <br /> suspected that the department felt that if GPWH were closed certain legal procedures will <br /> not necessarily continue . He stated he is not a spokesman for the Department and is not at <br /> liberty to give further information . <br /> Vice Chairman Ginn was very concerned about the closing of the hospital because she <br /> felt that patients who require close monitoring would be discharged . She questioned how <br /> this FACT team could take care of 1 , 000 formerly hospitalized patients . <br /> Dr. Woodley assured her that no patient would be discharged without a discharge <br /> plan and some means by which they can be assimilated into the community or be placed in <br /> one of the remaining hospitals in Southwest Florida, North Florida, or Chattahoochee . <br /> Chairman Adams understood that because GPWH is closing , the FACT teams are <br /> being created to assess and deal with immediate emergencies . If determined necessary , <br /> individuals will be hospitalized in one of the remaining hospitals . <br /> Dr. Woodley confirmed Chairman Adams ' understanding and added that patients <br /> generally do not stay at GPWH for a very long time . In our four- county area, we have never <br /> utilized all of our 36 -bed allocation which, he reasoned , means we are much healthier <br /> mentally than others in Florida . In one year, we had 65 admissions and 56 discharges . He <br /> felt we should not be terribly concerned in our community since persons within our midst <br /> are probably mentally healthy . <br /> Chairman Adams appreciated the open dialog and understood there is apparently <br /> nothing the Board can do to stop the closing of GPWH . <br /> Dr. Woodley concurred and pointed out that it is necessary to decide how our <br /> community can work together to serve our mentally ill individuals . <br /> There was a brief discussion about the location of the remaining hospitals and their <br /> November 21 , 2000 <br /> 55 <br /> BK 116 PG 213 <br />