Troubled Teen Hospital Closing
It's a place for troubled teens to turn to, but now we've learned it's closing. Tuesday, Newschannel 9 confirmed that Cumberland Hall is shutting it doors at the end of this month.
A nurse at Cumberland Hall tells us they found out last Wednesday that in less than 2 weeks, the hospital would be closed. That leaves about 70 employees without work, and about 30 children without the help they're used to.
Diana Emery says, "I got a phone call, have you heard we're closing our doors, as of January 31st, there will be no more kids here, that was 11 days, so everyone was kind of in shock."
Emery worked at Cumberland Hall for about 5 years, as a part time licensed practical nurse helping kids between the ages of 11 and 17 who've had hard times. She says the private facility takes in those who've suffered sexual, physical, or drug abuse, when other places turn them away. But now, those teens are being turned away from this hospital and school. She says it's hard to see them transferred to another facility or home. "And someone is picking them up to transport them there is a lot of tears, and some of them are angry like you all are bailing on us."
We spoke by phone with the management of Psyciatric Solutions who gave us this statement by email.
Spokesperson John Van Mol says, "A key factor in the decision was a lack of professional resources in the local community to assure the level of care these patients need and deserve."
But Emery says this leaves more than 30 kids in a tough spot, with few options. "There was one today as I was leaving that was pacing, because he didn't feel like he's ready to go home tomorrow, but has to go home tomorrow."
And it's not just the patients, but the 70 employees who are also left without work. Emery adds, "I think it's very unfair to the employees who have been there and given time and energy to helping these children."
The statement from corporate went on to say that they apologize for the inconvenience this causes patients, and also said they will provide employees with severance packages.
Cumberland Hall will close on January 31st.
