Services at NH Hospital
In 1842, the New Hampshire Asylum for the Insane opened its doors for the care and treatment of individuals with mental illnesses. Services were originally offered in a single Main Building in Concord, but the size of the institution escalated over the decades to include numerous buildings spread over a 123-acre campus. The patient/resident population peaked at 2,700 in the 1950's.
Today, New Hampshire Hospital provides a range of specialized diagnostic and therapeutic services for individuals with major mental illnesses related to thought, mood and behavior (such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, attention and conduct disorders) who are in need of acute, continuing or transitional mental health care. The Hospital advocates for and provides responsible psychiatric services, which support an individual's recovery toward an authentic sense of personal meaning and optimum health. Our work is directed toward evaluating innovative treatment methods and sharing outcomes that improve the mental health of individuals served. Currently, anticipating over 2400 inpatient admissions per year, half of our patients are discharged within eight days and the average daily census is approximately 250 across all program areas (210 acute and 40 transitional).
Under statutory authority, New Hampshire Hospital provides a wide range of psychiatric services utilizing an Interdisciplinary Treatment Plan Model. A team of mental health professionals is assigned to each patient admitted. The team works with the patient, members of the patient's family and community treatment team to design a unique, flexible treatment plan for that person. In collaboration with community mental health centers, a comprehensive, individualized discharge plan is developed for each patient. Hospital staff meets with consumer groups and have and active relationship with the New Hampshire Alliance for the Mentally Ill.
Approximately 800 staff makes up the Hospital's employee base. Administrative and support personnel compliment specialized nursing and allied clinical staff. A full staff of Board Certified Psychiatrists work onsite through a contractual agreement with the Department of Psychiatry, Dartmouth Medical School.
Our patients needs include smooth access to services; safety and sensitivity in daily care; skill and attentiveness from physicians/residents and nurses; timely, helpful therapies; accommodation of family needs and visits; a clean, restful environment; adequate food and nutrition; timely, clear aftercare planning and an overall feeling of improvement on discharge.
The Hospital remains committed to developing patient care strategies that ensure our continued presence as a center of excellence within an integrated system of community based care.