July 2, 2012 (ROCKFORD) "I want to make sure they get that specialized treatment," said Dr. Anthony D'Souza.
Having worked as a psychiatrist for almost 35-years, Dr. Anthony D'Souza understands the strong need for mental health centers like Singer, and why it needs to stay open.
"It serves a very unique population of patients with mental illness that basically can't be served," said Dr. D'Souza.
Hit by funding cuts year after year, the facility is certified for 76-beds, but can only see around 40-to-50-patients-- a capacity set by the state.
Come October, that number will drop down to zero.
"The state's going to have to bring in extra dollars in to provide treatment for those individuals that we can handle locally. Those that are more severe that have to be transferred at a cost to Chicago," said Sen. Dave Svyerson.
A cost Sen. Dave Svyerson says could possibly cost the state even more.
"What's that going to cost and is there enough funding in the budget to do that, and that's where we get to see what's going to happen," he adds.
But for now, the senator argues the main focus is to work with local health providers to come up with an effective plan for patients.
"We'll work with local providers like Rosecrance and Wattles, and work with them to see what services can be handled locally and what funding the state will give them with that transition," said Sen. Svyerson.
In the next couple of weeks, Dr. Anthony D'Souza will be reviewing the records of Singer patients to determine exactly where to place them either locally or to transfer them to Chicago for service.
Having worked as a psychiatrist for almost 35-years, Dr. Anthony D'Souza understands the strong need for mental health centers like Singer, and why it needs to stay open.
"It serves a very unique population of patients with mental illness that basically can't be served," said Dr. D'Souza.
Hit by funding cuts year after year, the facility is certified for 76-beds, but can only see around 40-to-50-patients-- a capacity set by the state.
Come October, that number will drop down to zero.
"The state's going to have to bring in extra dollars in to provide treatment for those individuals that we can handle locally. Those that are more severe that have to be transferred at a cost to Chicago," said Sen. Dave Svyerson.
A cost Sen. Dave Svyerson says could possibly cost the state even more.
"What's that going to cost and is there enough funding in the budget to do that, and that's where we get to see what's going to happen," he adds.
But for now, the senator argues the main focus is to work with local health providers to come up with an effective plan for patients.
"We'll work with local providers like Rosecrance and Wattles, and work with them to see what services can be handled locally and what funding the state will give them with that transition," said Sen. Svyerson.
In the next couple of weeks, Dr. Anthony D'Souza will be reviewing the records of Singer patients to determine exactly where to place them either locally or to transfer them to Chicago for service.
