| Closings to Displace Mental Health Patients |
| COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - State health
officials say more than 100 patients may be displaced by the closure
of several community care facilities across South
Carolina. The Department of Mental Health learned at a special commission meeting Wednesday that three facilities will close by mid-July. Those closing are the Manor House of Edgefield, Olanta and Dillon. That would leave about 72 mental health patients without beds. The agency already is trying to find additional space and care for other patients. Also, Department of Health and Environmental Control officials say four other facilities have had their licenses suspended after a change in ownership. More than 400 additional beds could be lost if the license is lost. The commission also learned that a veto by Governor Mark Sanford would block the Mental Health Department from receiving half of the money from the sale of agency land on Columbia's Bull Street. |