OSF HealthCare and US HealthVest will be forming a joint venture to build a behavioral health facility in Peoria. Together they will develop and construct what will be the largest behavioral hospital focused on adults south of Chicago.
The planned 100-bed hospital will be located on a tract of land that is owned by OSF HealthCare on Illinois Route 91 and is located near other OSF buildings and services.
The new hospital will expand access to urgently needed mental health care for residents throughout central Illinois. A full continuum of behavioral health services will be offered, regardless of ability to pay, including comprehensive treatment for those who struggle with acute symptoms of mental health.
"Every one of the hospitals that has an inpatient unit is very frequently full and ends up having to send individuals pretty significant distances, often even to the Chicagoland area where there are more beds available."
Director of behavioral health physician services | Dr. Samuel Sears
WGLT.org states that U.S. HealthVest will handle staff hiring at the psychiatric facility because for-profit companies are able to pay staff more. Sears said that this is significant given the shortage of behavioral health workers.
He stated that it can be difficult in this market right now to get a high degree of staffing, having to follow nonprofit principles. The hospital would generate about 200 jobs.
WGIL News reports that the new hospital will offer the following:
- A continuum of behavioral health services
- Comprehensive treatment for those with acute symptoms of mental health
- Open 24/7
- Crisis center offering free assessments and specialized programs
- Partial hospitalization
- Intensive outpatient programs will also be provided
Data from the full 13-county area that will be served by the hospital shows the number of those seeking services who have to leave the area is great. Over 2,000 people must travel outside of the area due to insufficient number of in-patient beds.
Opening is anticipated in late 2024 or early 2025.
