Templeton leaders reject proposed mental health hospital
Update Nov. 21: The Templeton Area Advisory Group voted 7-0 Thursday night to reject a controversial new facility. The decision denies a lot split and two proposed projects, a mental health hospital and memory care assisted living facility, proposed for the Billig property on Las Tablas across from Twin Cities Community Hospital, reports Nanette Fisher, editor of the Soaring Eagle Press in Templeton.
The Templeton Area Advisory Group’s decision is a non-binding recommendation that will be forwarded to the San Luis Obispo County Planning and Building Department and the board of supervisors.
Mental health hospital proposed for Las Tablas Road
This is what the proposed mental health hospital could look like if approved to go in across the street from Twin Cities Community Hospital.
New facility could treat up to nearly 100 mentally ill patients
After two years of development, Jan Hochhauser, a principal of Hochhauser Blatter Architecture and Planning, presented the plans for a mental health hospital on Las Tablas Road, across the street from Twin Cities Community Hospital in Templeton, at a community meeting on Tuesday evening.
Hochhauser said this was the first public meeting held in Templeton. The next time the public will have the opportunity to weigh in on the topic is at the Templeton Area Advisory Council meeting on Thursday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m.
Updated Nov. 14: The location of the meeting was moved to the multipurpose room at Vineyard Elementary School, 2121 Vineyard Dr., Templeton.
Currently, there is an application submitted with the County of San Luis Obispo by Harvey Billing, who owns the property. Mark Schneider will be the operator and manager of the hospital. Hochhauser said that it will likely go before the SLO County Board of Supervisors sometime in the first four months of 2015.
“If you look at the history of the Twin Cities Hospital and the profundity of surrounding medical uses you would see that this — since 1977 — was always planned to serve the adjacent communities and SLO County,” Hochhauser said. “Putting this in an existing building is often done, but not ideal when you are trying to create an ideal program and design. It’s more often the case than not that people with behavioral health issues also need services in other medical disciplines. After all, as human beings we are mind and body.”
Templeton resident Tamara Stavrianoudakis said she was completely against such a hospital locating in the community, but after attending Tuesday’s meeting, she said she sees the need for such a hospital in the North County. “It was very enlightening, I did know there was that big of a need,” Stavrianoudakis said. “I don’t think it should be in that area because it’s too close to residential neighborhoods.”
She said that someone suggested it being located where the Boys School had been in Paso Robles north of Highway 46 East, which she thinks is a good idea. “I really don’t want that element in Templeton,” Stavrianoudakis said.
Atascadero United Methodist Church Pastor Diane Rehfield spoke in favor of the hospital going into Templeton: “I don’t worry about people who are receiving treatment in a facility like this. I do worry about people who are in need of mental health treatment who never get the help they need. Treatment can prevent tragedies Ignoring an illness and hoping it will go away can lead to tragedy. That’s why I support this facility.”
Hochhauser said that the hospital will serve as mostly as an in-patient facility. “Primarily,” he said, “this is an acute care facility, with many people staying five, 10 days.” Additionally, the hospital will offer support services. People can be admitted to the hospital by a loved one, doctor, emergency room staff or psychologist, and once they are released, they return home. The majority of the patients, he said, will come from the same areas that people who go to Twin Cities Community Hospital come from with its primary patients come from Atascadero, Paso Robles, Templeton and San Luis Obispo. There will be four components, with 20 to 24 beds in each: children, adolescents, adults and geriatric.
He said that there were concerns raised about people walking out of the hospital, but that while it could happen, it’s very unlikely. Even then, Hochhauser said, it outweighs those people who need the help not getting the help, which could be a danger to the community.
“The minute you talk about a mental issue, people have prejudices,” Hochhauser said. “But [the mentally ill] are here now. “We’re very excited about what this brings to the community.”
I think this facility would be an definite asset to the North County health care system. The lack of appropriate treatment facilities for those with mental illness is a much greater risk to our community than the presence this facility would be. The comment "I don't really want that element in Templeton" exemplifies the ignorance of most people regarding mental illness. I assure you that people suffering from depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder and other mental illnesses are already in Templeton, because people with these problems are in all segments of society. Hopefully, when the facility opens they can help to educate people about these illnesses by offering the many programs available from NAMI (the National Alliance on Mental Illness).
Most people agree that we need as much help as we can get with treating mental illness, and I think that most people at the meeting would like to see a behavioral (mental) health hospital in this county. The question is the proposed location, and I was disappointed that the people presenting this proposal misinformed people about important aspects of this project.
This would be the only behavioral health hospital between Fremont and Ventura. Patients would come from here in the North County, SLO/South County, Monterey County, Santa Barbara County, and could come from anywhere.
There are 90 beds and an average stay of 5 to 10 days. In order to maximize the profits, the 90 beds would need to be refilled every 5 to 10 days. The Ventura Hospital and the Fremont Hospital with similar bed capacities each treat about 4000 people per year. They keep the beds full.
The high patient turn over raises questions of increased traffic on Los Tablas Rd (patients and visitors) and safety of children/neighborhoods that surround the proposed hospital as patients are discharged in Templeton. They don't have to go back to their home community, and they can leave the hospital during treatment if they so choose.
Contrary to what the woman host said, I don't think that bus service to the Twin Cities Hospital area will alleviate visitor traffic, and
having a hospital here will not attract more psychiatrists to our area, although they will come for positions in the hospital.
BTW, they will not take patients on MediCal, and an average stay can range from $10 to $25,000 if you pay for it yourself. They specialize in acute episode treatment to stabilize people, they are not a drug/alcohol rehabilitation center or a mental hospital for people needing long term treatment.
Cottage Hospital has an in-patient unit in the same building as their world-class, highly-respected medical care facility. It does not seem to be any problem at all, in fact it makes it convenient for the ER to send those needing psychiatric help directly to their own unit and not have to wait for transport, etc.
“The minute you talk about a mental issue, people have prejudices,” Hochhauser said
Some people. The modifier is essential.
"“I really don’t want that element in Templeton,” Stavrianoudakis said."
She is incorrect !!!!
This would be a good area (Templeton) to have it ! It's more rural than the other cities around the North County and there is plenty of space for it !!
I agree as well mental health facilities are much needed everywhere, there will never be enough of them, but please not in Templeton. This area has dealt with the increasing sirens (they are supposed to turn sirens off once they are off the freeway from what we were told), increasing traffic and accidents on Las Tablas, lights that reflect off the recently refurbished hospital, are all becoming a trend that is not apart the rural life that is promised or expected in the plan of this UNINCORPORATED area, we are not a city. These specialty facilities need to be where there are much more options available to people once they are released, whether being picked up or left to fend for themselves which is more likely than not I'm sorry to say.
That element is already in Templeton. It is everywhere. Why not try to help it? They already triage at Twin for these kinds of things. It is not like this is not already in our backyards!
Then what is Cottage Hospital's behaviorial treatment center?? That is in Santa Barbara which is between here and Ventura.
I sure hope it will not be used to treat Atascadero State Hospital inmates!!
Fred, nothing has been said which would indicate that this is a facility for State of California prison use. I don't believe that is their intention.
It seems like people still have a lot of questions. Perhaps a second presentation of the information would be helpful. This is an important issue and the more specifically people can have their questions answered the better.
I think that it is about time that we equip our community with a facility to treat people with mental health issues. With 1 in 4 people having a treatable mental illness (CDC statistic) it is a crying shame that we have to travel so far for help. These are your mother's, father's, sister's and brother's, etc. They are people no different than having a physical illness like cancer or diabetes that need a treatment center. Suicide is preventable!!!!! If you have concerns educate yourself. Go to the next planning meeting. Read a book. We are not criminals.
I think it's definetly needed and the people worried about residential I would be more worried about them wandering the streets
Melinda, Atascadero State Hospital is not considered a prison.
Fulldawg Jlf It's part of Santa Barbara County's mental health system with 16 beds (http://www.noozhawk.com/article/safety_net_mental_illness_emergency_rooms_public_health_20130923). The hospital proposed for Templeton is a private (for profit) hospital like the ones in Ventura and Fremont with about 90 beds each. The basic idea is that when county facilities are full, patients can go to private hospitals. Or patients can choose to go to a private hospital in the first place.
Yeah, that's where that Garrett Kaplan dude should go for setting the HS calf on fire!
This is more needed than people realize
There actually is not the space for this in Templeton at the proposed Billig property. Did you attend last night's TAAG meeting? If you did, you would see that the proposed number of beds is the same as what is across the street at Twin Cities Community Hospital on a much, much smaller amount of real estate. A local architect, who has designed medical buildings and offices, commented last night that the project architect smushed as much as he could onto that small property. "Too dense" is what she observed. This facility project is about maximizing $$$ for the owner/ operator, and not about serving the community of Templeton/ SLO. I encourage people to attend meetings so that they can hear all sides, especially before saying that Templeton is the right place for this because, if you were at the meeting, it apparently is not.
Were any of you at the meeting last night? I was, along with my family, and three of us spoke to TAAG and the developers. This is not about the stigma surrounding mental health in our county. Our county has over 1,000 nonprofit agencies and a strong network of social services agencies to support mental health. I personally see clients with varying mental health concerns every day. If any of you were actually at the meeting, you would have heard that the overwhelming majority of the dozens who spoke out against this facility were concerned about the following: 1) The proposed facility is for primarily private insurance, excluding the hundreds of San Luis Obispo County residents who are low-income and / or uninsured and need mental health support. None of my clients, let alone hundreds of others, would be able to access these services 2) The size is too large for the proposed area and there is a lack of infrastructure in Templeton of fire, police, and social services to support these individuals 3) The facility is voluntary, meaning individuals can leave at will. My father worked as a director of a similar, voluntary large mental health facility in Los Angeles for years and there were frequent walk-aways with a variety of public safety concerns associated with this. There are many other factors which make this proposal less than ideal, and before we get worked up and project about the stigma of mental health, let's look at the facts and realize the root of this project is profit-driven and excludes hundreds of San Luis Obispo County residents who need mental health support.
Tamara Stavrianoudaki, most people agree we have need for this type of service. But, as usual no one wants it in there neighborhood!
As a private for-profit facility, will they be required to accept Medical patients or patients with California covered insurance like for-profit hospitals are required to do?If not, I say no.
I think this facility would be an definite asset to the North County health care system. The lack of appropriate treatment facilities for those with mental illness is a much greater risk to our community than the presence this facility would be. The comment "I don't really want that element in Templeton" exemplifies the ignorance of most people regarding mental illness. I assure you that people suffering from depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder and other mental illnesses are already in Templeton, because people with these problems are in all segments of society. Hopefully, when the facility opens they can help to educate people about these illnesses by offering the many programs available from NAMI (the National Alliance on Mental Illness).
Most people agree that we need as much help as we can get with treating mental illness, and I think that most people at the meeting would like to see a behavioral (mental) health hospital in this county. The question is the proposed location, and I was disappointed that the people presenting this proposal misinformed people about important aspects of this project.
This would be the only behavioral health hospital between Fremont and Ventura. Patients would come from here in the North County, SLO/South County, Monterey County, Santa Barbara County, and could come from anywhere.
There are 90 beds and an average stay of 5 to 10 days. In order to maximize the profits, the 90 beds would need to be refilled every 5 to 10 days. The Ventura Hospital and the Fremont Hospital with similar bed capacities each treat about 4000 people per year. They keep the beds full.
The high patient turn over raises questions of increased traffic on Los Tablas Rd (patients and visitors) and safety of children/neighborhoods that surround the proposed hospital as patients are discharged in Templeton. They don't have to go back to their home community, and they can leave the hospital during treatment if they so choose.
Contrary to what the woman host said, I don't think that bus service to the Twin Cities Hospital area will alleviate visitor traffic, and
having a hospital here will not attract more psychiatrists to our area, although they will come for positions in the hospital.
BTW, they will not take patients on MediCal, and an average stay can range from $10 to $25,000 if you pay for it yourself. They specialize in acute episode treatment to stabilize people, they are not a drug/alcohol rehabilitation center or a mental hospital for people needing long term treatment.
Cottage Hospital has an in-patient unit in the same building as their world-class, highly-respected medical care facility. It does not seem to be any problem at all, in fact it makes it convenient for the ER to send those needing psychiatric help directly to their own unit and not have to wait for transport, etc.
“The minute you talk about a mental issue, people have prejudices,” Hochhauser said
Some people. The modifier is essential.
"“I really don’t want that element in Templeton,” Stavrianoudakis said."
She is incorrect !!!!
This would be a good area (Templeton) to have it ! It's more rural than the other cities around the North County and there is plenty of space for it !!
I agree as well mental health facilities are much needed everywhere, there will never be enough of them, but please not in Templeton. This area has dealt with the increasing sirens (they are supposed to turn sirens off once they are off the freeway from what we were told), increasing traffic and accidents on Las Tablas, lights that reflect off the recently refurbished hospital, are all becoming a trend that is not apart the rural life that is promised or expected in the plan of this UNINCORPORATED area, we are not a city. These specialty facilities need to be where there are much more options available to people once they are released, whether being picked up or left to fend for themselves which is more likely than not I'm sorry to say.
That element is already in Templeton. It is everywhere. Why not try to help it? They already triage at Twin for these kinds of things. It is not like this is not already in our backyards!
Then what is Cottage Hospital's behaviorial treatment center?? That is in Santa Barbara which is between here and Ventura.
I sure hope it will not be used to treat Atascadero State Hospital inmates!!
Fred, nothing has been said which would indicate that this is a facility for State of California prison use. I don't believe that is their intention.
It seems like people still have a lot of questions. Perhaps a second presentation of the information would be helpful. This is an important issue and the more specifically people can have their questions answered the better.
I think that it is about time that we equip our community with a facility to treat people with mental health issues. With 1 in 4 people having a treatable mental illness (CDC statistic) it is a crying shame that we have to travel so far for help. These are your mother's, father's, sister's and brother's, etc. They are people no different than having a physical illness like cancer or diabetes that need a treatment center. Suicide is preventable!!!!! If you have concerns educate yourself. Go to the next planning meeting. Read a book. We are not criminals.
I think it's definetly needed and the people worried about residential I would be more worried about them wandering the streets
Melinda, Atascadero State Hospital is not considered a prison.
Fulldawg Jlf It's part of Santa Barbara County's mental health system with 16 beds (http://www.noozhawk.com/article/safety_net_mental_illness_emergency_rooms_public_health_20130923). The hospital proposed for Templeton is a private (for profit) hospital like the ones in Ventura and Fremont with about 90 beds each. The basic idea is that when county facilities are full, patients can go to private hospitals. Or patients can choose to go to a private hospital in the first place.
Yeah, that's where that Garrett Kaplan dude should go for setting the HS calf on fire!
This is more needed than people realize
There actually is not the space for this in Templeton at the proposed Billig property. Did you attend last night's TAAG meeting? If you did, you would see that the proposed number of beds is the same as what is across the street at Twin Cities Community Hospital on a much, much smaller amount of real estate. A local architect, who has designed medical buildings and offices, commented last night that the project architect smushed as much as he could onto that small property. "Too dense" is what she observed. This facility project is about maximizing $$$ for the owner/ operator, and not about serving the community of Templeton/ SLO. I encourage people to attend meetings so that they can hear all sides, especially before saying that Templeton is the right place for this because, if you were at the meeting, it apparently is not.
Were any of you at the meeting last night? I was, along with my family, and three of us spoke to TAAG and the developers. This is not about the stigma surrounding mental health in our county. Our county has over 1,000 nonprofit agencies and a strong network of social services agencies to support mental health. I personally see clients with varying mental health concerns every day. If any of you were actually at the meeting, you would have heard that the overwhelming majority of the dozens who spoke out against this facility were concerned about the following: 1) The proposed facility is for primarily private insurance, excluding the hundreds of San Luis Obispo County residents who are low-income and / or uninsured and need mental health support. None of my clients, let alone hundreds of others, would be able to access these services 2) The size is too large for the proposed area and there is a lack of infrastructure in Templeton of fire, police, and social services to support these individuals 3) The facility is voluntary, meaning individuals can leave at will. My father worked as a director of a similar, voluntary large mental health facility in Los Angeles for years and there were frequent walk-aways with a variety of public safety concerns associated with this. There are many other factors which make this proposal less than ideal, and before we get worked up and project about the stigma of mental health, let's look at the facts and realize the root of this project is profit-driven and excludes hundreds of San Luis Obispo County residents who need mental health support.
Tamara Stavrianoudaki, most people agree we have need for this type of service. But, as usual no one wants it in there neighborhood!
As a private for-profit facility, will they be required to accept Medical patients or patients with California covered insurance like for-profit hospitals are required to do?If not, I say no.