Valleywise Health Tackles Mental Health Care Crisis with Reopened Beds and Aggressive Staffing Strategy in Phoenix

In the heart of Phoenix's Maryvale neighborhood, a beacon of hope shines for the community as Valleywise Health announces the reopening of 15 inpatient psychiatric beds, previously shuttered due to severe staffing shortages that have plagued the healthcare sector nationwide. This development marks a critical step forward in addressing the urgent need for mental health services, a crisis exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, as Valleywise embarks on this journey to expand care, it faces the daunting task of filling the staffing void to fully operationalize its facilities, a challenge underscored by the still-closed 57 of its licensed psychiatric beds across three hospitals.

Reopening Doors, Rebuilding Hope

Valleywise Health, Arizona's largest provider of court-ordered inpatient behavioral health care, operates 412 licensed psychiatric beds. The closure of beds in 2022 left a significant gap in services for those in need, particularly for individuals requiring involuntary psychiatric treatment. The recent reopening of 15 beds is not just a logistical update but a symbol of progress in the battle against a mental health care system stretched to its limits. This move comes as part of Valleywise's broader strategy to combat staffing shortages through aggressive recruitment efforts, including offering sign-on bonuses of up to $18,000 for behavioral health employees willing to commit to a two-year tenure with the health system.

The Battle for Staffing

Despite the positive stride in reopening beds, Valleywise Health's Senior Vice President of Behavioral Health, Gene Cavallo, indicates that the road ahead is challenging. The health system's struggle to recruit sufficient direct care staff, including nurses and behavioral health technicians, means that it might take an additional six to seven months to reopen more beds. This delay not only highlights the severity of the staffing crisis in the healthcare sector but also underscores the importance of innovative solutions and strategic partnerships, such as Valleywise's residency program with the Creighton University Arizona Health Education Alliance, which graduates twelve psychiatrists annually. Valleywise's commitment to addressing the staffing shortages head-on is a critical component of its plan to have all closed units operational within the next 12 to 18 months.

Looking Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities

The journey to fully reopen Valleywise Health's psychiatric beds is fraught with challenges, from the ongoing recruitment battle to the systemic issues plaguing mental health care accessibility and quality. However, the health system's proactive approach, leveraging federal American Rescue Plan grants via the SOAR program, signals a significant investment in the future of psychiatric care in Maricopa County. Advocacy groups and community members alike emphasize the urgent need for accessible, high-quality psychiatric care, highlighting the risks to both caregivers and patients due to the shortage of available beds. As Valleywise Health continues its efforts to expand its capacity for inpatient psychiatric care, the broader implications for the community and the healthcare system at large remain a focal point of consideration, balancing the optimism of progress with the realism of the challenges that lie ahead.