State health officials say Georgia's mental hospital system is on the road to recovery. That reaction comes as a blistering report was sent by federal investigators to Governor Sonny Perdue.
The U.S. Department of Justice outlined "critically deficient" conditions at Georgia Regional Hospital in Atlanta. Problems such as continued failures to address fatalities and violence were detailed at the Atlanta facility, with similar problems found in facilities in Rome and Savannah.
The federal investigation was conducted last fall. State officials say since then, 'fixes' to the problems have already begun.
Gwen Skinner heads Georgia's mental health system:
"I think that when you get reports like the one from the Department of Justice, it gives you focus. Because you're getting that kind of information from separate groups of people. It helps you focus on the things that are the most critical".
A mental health panel created by Governor Sonny Perdue just released its first progress report this week. The commission was set-up following the start of the federal probe last fall. Perdue spokesman Bert Brantley:
"Much of what’s in that (Dept. of Justice) letter are things that we have identified, things that we’ve already done--some short-term improvements, staffing levels, equipment purchases, those kinds of things. And then some long-term improvements as well many of which are contained in the mental health commission reports".
A federal lawsuit has been threatened by late July unless the state proves concrete
improvements in its mental health system.
The U.S. Department of Justice outlined "critically deficient" conditions at Georgia Regional Hospital in Atlanta. Problems such as continued failures to address fatalities and violence were detailed at the Atlanta facility, with similar problems found in facilities in Rome and Savannah.
The federal investigation was conducted last fall. State officials say since then, 'fixes' to the problems have already begun.
Gwen Skinner heads Georgia's mental health system:
"I think that when you get reports like the one from the Department of Justice, it gives you focus. Because you're getting that kind of information from separate groups of people. It helps you focus on the things that are the most critical".
A mental health panel created by Governor Sonny Perdue just released its first progress report this week. The commission was set-up following the start of the federal probe last fall. Perdue spokesman Bert Brantley:
"Much of what’s in that (Dept. of Justice) letter are things that we have identified, things that we’ve already done--some short-term improvements, staffing levels, equipment purchases, those kinds of things. And then some long-term improvements as well many of which are contained in the mental health commission reports".
A federal lawsuit has been threatened by late July unless the state proves concrete
improvements in its mental health system.
