Editorial: Violent incidents at Hampstead Hospital
The state of New Hampshire once again finds itself in the crosshairs of another controversy surrounding the safety of vulnerable young people placed in its care and the people who work to help those young patients.
The situation has escalated over the last two weeks at the Hampstead Hospital and residential treatment facility. That's the state's only secure psychiatric hospital for children and young adults suffering from mental health, behavioral and substance abuse issues.
Our investigative team has uncovered a number of violent incidents there.
The Office of the Child Advocate visited the hospital this week, saying they found out about the violence through our reporting.
The union representing hospital staff is demanding more safety measures. But the deputy commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services stands by the care being given at the hospital and referred to media reports as sensational.
Well, here are the facts. There has been a string of assaults on staff. At least two workers were taken to a hospital for treatment. One of them was left unconscious after being hit by a patient. A nurse was left with a concussion.
State police have responded to the hospital for calls numerous times over the last few weeks. Parents are obviously concerned. And one worker told us someone may die before the situation is taken seriously.
That's no exaggeration, simply the facts.
Here are some more.
The state took over the hospital in 2022. It has contracted the operation of the hospital out to a company called Wellpath that promised more available beds for young people.
The move was an important one to help get young people the care they need instead of being parked in hospital emergency rooms around the state.
Since our reporting, the state child advocate has visited the facility, a state senator is calling for the issue to be solved and an executive councilor went to check out the site.
This hospital is desperately needed. Staffers have told us they want to continue to do this important work to help these young people.
Now, DHHS needs to ensure it's safe for patients and those who are helping them.