TRENTON – Senate President Richard J. Codey (D-Essex) today released the following statement on the U.S. Justice Department’s report on Ancora Psychiatric Hospital:

“Without a doubt, this is a very sobering report. It certainly underscores the need to move swiftly to pass several bills that we have pending before the legislature that would dramatically improve employee training, education and hiring standards at state psychiatric hospitals.

VITALE APPLAUDS FIRST PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS FOR GOING SMOKE-FREE

Greystone and Ancora First to Implement New Smoke-Free Policies as a Result of Senator’s Law

TRENTON – Senator Joseph F. Vitale today applauded officials at Greystone Park and Ancora psychiatric hospitals for being the first in the State to implement smoke-free policies under a law sponsored by the Senator and signed by the Governor last year.

“By their nature, psychiatric hospitals exist to promote health and wellness of the mind, body and soul,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex, and Chairman of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee. “Looking the other way while patients and employees light up seems contrary to the very mission of these facilities. I’m glad Greystone and Ancora are becoming the first smoke-free psychiatric hospitals in New Jersey, and I hope other facilities follow their lead.”

CODEY BILL ENHANCING ACCOUNTABILITY & TRANSPARENCY AT STATE PSYCHHOSPITALS HEADS TO GOVERNOR'S DESK

TRENTON – The full Senate today unanimously approved a bill sponsored by Senate President Richard J. Codey that is designed to protect patient safety at state psychiatric hospitals by enhancing accountability and promoting transparency. Senate bill S2494, which now heads to the Governor’s desk, would require the state Department of Human Services (DHS) to report the number of physical assaults and deaths that occur at state psychiatric hospitals.

“These hospitals are home to some of the state’s most vulnerable residents,” said Sen. Codey (D-Essex). “We need to ensure that they are in the care of staff that are appropriately trained and focused on their best interests. Enhancing accountability is one way to achieve that.”

Senate Health Panel Approves Package Designed to Improve Patient Safety and Strengthen Hiring, Training and Oversight at State Psychiatric Hospitals

            TRENTON – A package of bills sponsored by Senate President Richard J. Codey that are designed to protect patient safety and improve employee training and oversight at state psychiatric hospitals was approved yesterday by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee.

           “These hospitals are home to some of the state’s most vulnerable residents,” said Sen. Codey (D-Essex).  “We need to ensure that they are in the care of staff that are appropriately trained and focused on their best interests.  These bills will transform the way we care for the mentally ill and address a number of patient safety issues that have arisen at state-run facilities.”

ASSEMBLY PANEL CLEARS BILLS TO ENHANCE TRANSPARENCY, SAFETY AT STATE PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS
Measure Would Establish Strict Training Programs, Drug Testing and Reporting Standards; Bills Stem from Reports of Poor Conditions, Unreported Deaths at Ancora Psychiatric Hospital
    
(TRENTON) - A three-bill package of legislation Assembly members Sheila Oliver, Pamela Lampitt, and Assemblyman Louis Greenwald sponsored in response to problems uncovered at South Jersey's Ancora Psychiatric Hospital was released today by an Assembly committee.