Mercy Receives Approval to Build New Behavioral Health Hospital
DES MOINES, Iowa – Mercy Medical Center — Des Moines received approval today from the State Health Facilities Council to move forward with a proposal to build a 100-bed freestanding behavioral health hospital in Clive. Plans for the new behavioral health hospital will be finalized during the next few months, with an anticipated construction start date in April 2019.
“We are very pleased our proposal to construct a behavioral health hospital has been approved, said Sandy Swanson, vice president of planning and strategic development at Mercy. “This decision helps address the growing demand and community need for mental health services closer to home and throughout Iowa. With this approval, we can now move forward with our vision of improving access to mental health services.”
The new behavioral health hospital will serve children, adolescents, adults and seniors experiencing acute behavioral health issues. Medical treatment at this facility will concentrate on stabilizing patients so they are able to transition seamlessly into the care of outpatient community providers or be integrated into a home environment.
Swanson added, “We want to thank the many supporters and advocates who came forward to help demonstrate the need for improved mental health care services in our state. We look forward to working with community partners to serve more patients and families, as we are committed to serving the overall health needs of our community for generations to come.”
The new hospital will be owned and operated through a joint venture organization created by Mercy and Universal Health Services (UHS), one of the largest health care management companies in the United States.
About Mercy Medical Center – Des Moines
Mercy operates four not-for-profit, Catholic hospital campuses, with a total of 875 beds, along with more than 20 additional facilities that house more than 50 primary care, pediatric, internal medicine and specialty clinics. Founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1893, Mercy Medical Center – Des Moines is the longest continually operating hospital in Des Moines and is also one of the largest employers in the state – with more than 7,000 employees and a medical staff of more than 1,000 physicians and allied health associates. Mercy Medical Center–Des Moines is a member of Mercy Health Network and is a part of Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI), a national nonprofit health organization with headquarters in Englewood, Colo. The faith-based system operates in 18 states and includes 99 hospitals and multiple other facilities and services.