UHS opens partnership hospital

The new Lancaster Behavioral Health Hospital in Pennsylvania will launch in early July as a partnership between Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health and Universal Health Services (UHS). Partnership arrangements are a growing trend in behavioral health.

With a total of six units, the Lancaster facility will offer services for co-occurring disorders on the psychiatric-medical unit, as well as service in intensive adult and women’s trauma units.

“Lancaster County’s growing population and greater recognition for mental and physical healthcare, led us to determine that a hospital dedicated to behavioral health was essential to filling the service gaps that existed in our community,” said Jan Bergen, CEO, Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health, in a statement.

More than 30,000 adults in Lancaster County have a diagnosed behavioral health condition, according to a recent community health assessment by the hospital system.

With 126 beds, the hospital adds to Lancaster General Health’s 659-licensed bed not-for-profit health system. When fully operational, the hospital will employ over 250 including clinicians, mental health technicians and support staff. Jayne Van Bramer will be the hospital’s CEO.

UHS reported in its first quarter 2018 earnings that its number of hospitals owned or leased increased over the previous year from 292 to 300, and admissions increased by 1.4%.