July 22nd, 2010

The oldest psychiatric hospital in the nation, Friends Hospital located in North East Philadelphia was removed from the Magellan health network, the group that provides and manages the behavorial health of those on medicaid. The hospital was temporarily removed from Magellan last year after a resident committed suicide which state officials said could have been prevented if the hospital more staff members.

An anonymous former employee notified Magellan with a letter stating the hospital was understaffed. Magellan will investigate the matter as the hospital appeals its decision. Though the city of Philadelphia stopped using the hospital for emergency services following last year’s sucide, the communications director for Philadelphia’s Department of Behavioral Health and Mental Retardation Services said the city still uses the hospital for inpatient services and that its quality and care has been improving.

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