Burzichelli: We Must Work to Improve Our Psychiatric Hospitals

Assembly Budget Committee Vice-Chair Issues Statement Following NJ Department of Health Testimony

(TRENTON) – After yesterday’s Assembly Budget Committee hearing with the New Jersey Department of Health, Assemblyman John Burzichelli (D-Cumberland, Gloucester, Salem) issued the following statement regarding the state of New Jersey’s psychiatric hospitals:

“I’m very encouraged that serious assaults in our four state psychiatric hospitals are down 60 percent and that updated training of staff continues. That is important progress.

“However, they continue to struggle with the delivery of services and staffing of professionals. We must be sure that the Fiscal Year 2020 State Budget provides as much funding as possible to improve these facilities.

 “I’m pleased to learn that improving conditions at our psychiatric hospitals is a majority priority for Health Commissioner Elnahal. I will continue to monitor this issue as work to craft a final FY2020 budget.”