GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1989

H	1 

HOUSE BILL 2354

Short Title:  Broughton/John Umstead Funds.	(Public)
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Sponsors: Representatives Gardner; and Flaherty.
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Referred to:  Human Resources.
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June 6, 1990

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO ADDRESS STAFFING PROBLEMS AT BROUGHTON AND JOHN UMSTEAD HOSPITALS.
Whereas, there is a need to address staffing problems at Broughton and John Umstead Hospitals; and
Whereas, Broughton Hospital is the only State psychiatric hospital without a psychiatric residency program; and
Whereas, the staffing problems at Broughton Hospital are currently lowering the quality of care and aggravating the problems of premature release of patients from Broughton who are in need of greater stabilization; and
Whereas, the current overcrowding and understaffing at John Umstead Hospital are being aggravated by an increase in the use of the hospital for detoxification purposes; and
Whereas, people are being turned away from John Umstead Hospital who need hospitalization and patients are being released prematurely as a result of their conditions; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Human Resources the sum of $400,000 for the 1990-91 fiscal year to address problems in recruiting and retaining qualified professional staff at Broughton Hospital.  These funds will be used to initiate a psychiatric residency program, re-establish a psychiatric research program, and address inequities in professional staff pay which make it difficult to recruit and maintain qualified physicians, nurses, psychologists and other professionals.
Sec. 2.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Human Resources the sum of $600,000 to address problems of overcrowding and understaffing at John Umstead Hospital as a result of increased admissions and facility limitations.  These funds will be used to hire additional health care technicians and to eliminate the current dangerous problem of having only one health care technician on a ward during some shifts.
Sec. 3.  This act shall become effective July 1, 1990.