FERGUS FALLS, Minn. (Valley News Live) – The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is holding a public hearing on February 20 at 6:00 p.m. on Lake Region Healthcare’s closure of its voluntary admission inpatient mental health unit, called Bridgeway, in Fergus Falls.

Despite a critical and growing need for mental health care and services, Lake Region says Bridgeway is not meeting the demand and the closure is effective March 15, 2024.

Lake Region Healthcare says it will partner with other regional inpatient units to provide these services. They will continue offering out-patient mental health services and programming at its Fergus Falls facility.

Prior to 2022, the unit was staffed by their own board-certified psychiatrists; however, due to resignations and retirements, Lake Region began to rely primarily on temporary provider staffing. They say this is no longer a sustainable staffing model.

Staffing with temporary provider support cost Lake Region Healthcare nearly $1 million 2023 and was on track to cost $1.3 million in 2024. They also say inpatient days declined from 2,300 in 2019 to 1,200 in 2023, resulting in a decline in revenue of $2 million.

The hearing hosted by MDH’s Health Regulation Division is meant to provide community members with an opportunity to discuss the change in services and available alternatives for Lake Region Healthcare patients.

Those interested in participating can join the public hearing via the Microsoft Teams event: Lake Region Healthcare Public Hearing or by calling 651-395-7448 and using the access code 389 689 681#.

More information about the hearing, including accessibility accommodations and a form to submit public comments or questions, is available on the Lake Region Healthcare Public Hearing webpage.

In June 2021, the Minnesota Legislature passed legislation requiring a public notice and a public hearing before closure of a hospital or hospital campus, relocation of services or cessation in offering certain services.

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