New Hampshire

Staffing Shortage at NH Psychiatric Hospital Prompts Review

A discovery that New Hampshire's state-run psychiatric facility hasn't been fully staffed for months is bringing the hospital leadership and Dartmouth-Hitchcock, the organization tasked with providing the staff, under fire. 

State officials said Wednesday that Dartmouth-Hitchcock has been providing between eight and 10 general psychiatrists at New Hampshire Hospital. It's required to provide 11, plus a geriatric psychiatrist, under a $36 million contract signed with the state last year. 

The mix-up appears to be the result of a clerical error and other oversights. 

Republican Gov. Chris Sununu says he's asked New Hampshire Hospital Chief Executive Bob MacLeod to step down. The state's given Dartmouth-Hitchcock five business days to submit a corrective action plan. 

New Hampshire's mental health system has been in the spotlight for a lack of available treatment beds.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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