Illinois board denies inpatient psychiatric unit closure request

The Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board has rejected a request to close the inpatient psychiatric unit at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights. Endeavor Health had planned to shut down the 52-bed unit due to decreased demand and a shift towards outpatient care. The board's vote ended in a tie, meaning the closure will not go forward. Endeavor Health aimed to close the psychiatric unit, claiming that it would not impact access to care. They said other facilities in the area still have sufficient psychiatric beds available. However, the board raised concerns about the availability of mental health services across communities. In February, Endeavor announced plans to lay off 99 workers from Northwest Community Hospital. The closure was initially scheduled for April 11. A letter of opposition to the closure highlighted the existing shortage of mental health beds in Illinois and stressed the importance of the unit for patients in need. Endeavor, which acquired the hospital in 2021, has faced significant financial challenges recently. The health system reported nearly $492 million in operating losses, largely due to expenses related to legal claims against a former doctor accused of sexual abuse. The situation has put additional pressure on Endeavor to make operational changes.