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| By Katelyn Gendron Reminder Assistant Editor WEST SPRINGFIELD Medical professionals in Massachusetts are fighting an uphill battle: there are too many patients and not enough beds, treatment facilities, specialized doctors or resources for the ill, especially the mentally ill. The Hampden District Medical Society in West Springfield, has dubbed this phenomenon a "Heathcare in Crisis." In conjunction with their Medico-Religious Committee and Mercy Medical Center they are sponsoring the 23rd Annual Medical Ethics Seminar on Oct. 18, at Mercy Medical Center to raise awareness and educate those in the field about this crisis. Suzanne Skibinski, executive director of the Hampden District Medical Society said the waning services for mental health and substance abuse patients is an ethical dilemma that is not receiving "adequate attention." She said increasing the number of resources for patients "should be the number one priority," especially "because services are so bad in the western part of the state." According to figures released by Holyoke Medical Center, since 2004 the number of patients per year diagnosed with substance abuse is on the rise. From August 2006 to July 2007 this hospital saw 1,914 patients with a diagnosis of substance abuse, an increase from the 1,438 patients seen from August 2004 to July 2005. Robert Azeez, clinical supervisor of the Carlson Recovery Center at Baystate Medical Center, and panel member at the 23rd Annual Medical Ethics Seminar said, "the detox and substance abuse system has changed. Over 400 beds were eliminated in 2004, by Governor Romney, in the substance abuse system, resulting in the closing of multiple detoxes and short term rehab programs." He said patients are finding it extremely difficult to access services in Massachusetts. Azeez said there is a lack of moral and ethical commitment on the part of legislators because of their inability to restore funding. He added that the number of mental health and substance abuse patients is rising and "not going away" especially in the Greater Springfield area where there is a "rampant problem." Azeez said because of the lack of beds in substance abuse facilities those patients are taking up beds in emergency rooms in order to try and get their needs met, which he noted is "much more costly." He said he is encouraging people to speak to their legislators about restoring the much-needed funding to this area of the health care system in Massachusetts. One such legislator that is working to improve the system here is state Rep. Kay Khan, D-Newton, key note speaker at the 23rd Annual Medical Ethics Seminar. Her speech on "Understanding of the Legislative Process and how one can help support a Legislative Mental Health Agenda," will address issues surrounding the mental health care crisis and the restoration of resources, especially in Western Massachusetts. Khan said her Juvenile Mental Health Bill 3881, is currently under review by the Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse, and explores ways to aid those who are mentally ill within the juvenile justice system. She said there must be "other alternatives to locking them up." Khan added that when a person is sent to a juvenile detention center it is far more dangerous because they do not have the opportunity to gain the services they need. She said that as a medical professional she believes that treatment does work but people must be diagnosed. "Attention must be brought towards our youth to prevent long-term problems," she said. Khan noted that her bill calls for the establishment of a pilot program in Springfield, which will provide a "shift in services" and better resources for the diagnosis of juveniles. "People need to be more educated about the mentally ill and it's a vulnerable population," she said. "We can do more in education, treatment and prevention. If we provide support to families, caregivers and guardians, it's a great preventative for the future of many of these children." Other speakers and panel members include medical professionals from many area hospitals and health care services. Skibinski said she hopes that the speakers and panel discussion will help people to understand the limitation of mental health and substance abuse services in Massachusetts as well as motivate change. For more information on the Hampden District Medical Society call 736-0661. |