HHS ends probe into transfer of young patients

Saturday, December 19, 2009 HHS ends probe into transfer of young patients
BC-NH — State Hospital-Young Patients,0146

HHS ends probe into transfer of young patients

Eds: APNewsNow.

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services has finished investigating a policy that allows young children with mental illness to be transferred to a state hospital unit that serves teenagers and adults.

Advocates for children have questioned whether the policy harmed two boys ages 6 and 12 who spent parts of two nights in the adult unit last week under a policy that allows such transfers if the number of patients at the Philbrook Center for children drops below four.

Health and Human Services Commissioner Nick Toumpas told New Hampshire Public Radio that he didn’t know anything about the transfer until he read about it in the newspaper. He says he will review the investigation next week and work with those involved to decide what the policy should be going forward.

http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/statenewengland/488542-227/hhs-ends-probe-into-transfer-of-young.html