Governor Mike Pence today unveiled the state’s plans to build a new state-of-the-art neuro-diagnostic institute. The institute is scheduled to begin serving patients in 2018.
“This new institute will serve as the centerpiece of our ongoing commitment to improve mental health care and address the scourge of addictions in Indiana,” said Governor Pence. “This new institute is another part of our strong commitment to improving health care in Indiana and to caring for our most vulnerable fellow citizens, including those living in poverty, with disabilities and impaired from psychiatric illnesses, brain diseases and addictions.”
The new 159-bed institute which will be located on the campus of Community East Hospital in Indianapolis and operated in partnership with Community Health Network is projected to have the capacity to treat 1,500 patients each year.
Dr. John Wernert, Secretary of the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) explained that the focus of this new institute would be on the precise diagnosis and assertive treatment of brain-based disorders, including; acute and chronic mental illness, chronic addictions, and neuro-degenerative illnesses such as Alzheimer’s disease
Dr. Wernert said precise and comprehensive diagnosis drives more effective treatment and better outcomes for patients. He added the term “neuro-diagnostic” also encompasses the integration of medical care, which will be made possible by locating the institute at Community East Hospital.
“As a practicing psychiatrist, I recognize that advances in brain research and clinical care of mental disorders have made it imperative that we strive to significantly move our public mental health delivery system forward,” said Dr. Wernert. “FSSA is engaged in an ongoing effort to integrate the state’s mental health facilities and other elements of the public mental health system into a comprehensive, integrated mental health network. This new, cutting-edge neuro-diagnostic treatment center will complement the development of the state-operated facility network and significantly improve the quality of care.”
Construction will begin on the institute in April of 2016 and it will open for patient admissions in late 2018. The new institute is planned to eventually replace one of the state’s six current facilities, Larue Carter Hospital in Indianapolis, which will be phased out of operation.
“As the largest provider of mental health services in Indiana, we know firsthand the desperate need that exists for these services,” said Bryan Mills, president and CEO of Community Health Network. “We are committed to training providers through our psychiatric residency program and we are honored to work with the state to provide cutting-edge services through the Indiana Neuro-Diagnostic Institute.”
