November 18, 2002
Michigan Department of Community Health Director, James K. Haveman, Jr., today announced closure plans for Northville Psychiatric Hospital.  Northville Psychiatric serves adults with mental illness from Livingston, Monroe, Shiawassee, Washtenaw and Wayne counties.

“A combination of factors have led to the decision to close Northville Psychiatric,” said Haveman.  “The number of employees participating in the early retirement option from the State of Michigan and the initiatives local community mental health organizations have made in placing individuals in community settings has reduced the number of patients being served at the hospital.”

Northville Psychiatric was built in the 1950’s with the capacity to house over 1200 people.  Given the nationwide movement away from institutionalization and toward community-based placements, inpatient hospital structures are no longer built on this outdated model.

Currently there are approximately 250 patients and 540 employees at Northville Psychiatric Hospital.  Individualized and person-centered treatment plans address the needs of each of the persons with mental illness at Northville Psychiatric Hospital and will direct the community placement or inpatient transfer of residents.  

More than 23 percent of employees eligible for the early retirement option at Northville Psychiatric applied for retirement, which has impacted employee staffing.  Under the closure plan, some remaining employees may be eligible for retirement and other employees will have opportunities to transfer to other state facilities as well as bumping and recall rights per their bargaining agreements. 

Today, the Department of Community Health has provided a certification of closure to the legislature and in March, as required by statute, a closure plan will be submitted to the appropriations subcommittees of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

The Department of Community Health anticipates no cost-savings generated by the closure of the Northville Psychiatric Center, which is expected to be complete by July 2003, as the appropriation will support expanded community options, and closure activities. 

“We are committed to serving people receiving services in community-based alternatives so that people can retain ties to their families, neighborhoods and community support systems,” said Patricia Kukula Interim Executive Director of the Detroit-Wayne Community Mental Health Agency.