NEWS

The Association of California State Supervisors (ACSS) met with the Department of Mental Health (DMH) on Friday, January 13, 2012, to discuss the Department’s transition plan to become the Department of State Hospitals (DSH).

ACSS continues to raises concerns over the impact of decreasing staff ratios on the safety of patients and staff.  DMH stated that the changes will enhance safety of both staff and patients because staff is being redirected back to the units.  However, ACSS believes simply showing on paper that added staff will be assigned to the units will not necessarily result in greater safety.

It is counterintuitive that safety will be enhanced by a decrease in the ratio of staff to patients.  ACSS will continue to fight for a safe working environment for excluded employees.  DMH stated it will continue to monitor the effect of the changes and will be looking at the number of assaults as always to determine if further modifications will be necessary.  ACSS asked which specific benchmarks DMH would use to monitor safety, and DMH responded that Dr. Warburton would be monitoring and possibly establishing the benchmarks. 

DMH also stated that if the specified safety benchmarks show decreased safety as the cost saving plan is implemented they are able to reevaluate and possibly reverse the changes.  ACSS indicated concern on this issue; some services that are proven through data to reduce patients’ aggression and violence were reduced or eliminated. 

ACSS inquired about additional training for staff to deal with aggressive patients.  DMH’s response was that there is no additional training planned at this time and that the training budget is currently being cut as identified in the cost savings measures; however, it would be considered if budget allows since this type of training has been discussed in the past.

If you have any concerns or questions regarding the implementation of the transition plan, please contact Nellie Lynn, ACSS Senior Labor Relations Representative at nlynn@calcsea.org.

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