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[[image:Haverford 09.jpg|250px|right|Haverford State in 2006]] | [[image:Haverford 09.jpg|250px|right|Haverford State in 2006]] | ||
β | Conditions began to improve starting in 1987, and by the early 1990's the hospital had transformed itself and its dubious image, according to Silberner's report. Patients were involved in psycho-educational groups and recreation with a focus on self-help and internalizing personal change. However, the American public's sentiment was slowly turning against the idea of mental institutions as a whole, of which Haverford State Hospital was no exception. In June of 1990, [[Philadelphia State Hospital]] closed by court order, making way for a new method of decentralizing mental health services away from state hospitals, and towards community clinics. By 1996, 70,000 patients remained in state and county psychiatric hospitals. Lawyers successfully argued that under the new 'Americans With Disabilities Act', mentally ill people should be kept in the least restricted setting as possible. This decision of the courts put the final nail in Haverford State's coffin, as it deemed inpatient care clinically unnecessary in the context of late 20th century psychiatry. When the closing of the site was announced by the state in 1997, there were 262 patients remaining in residence. By June 3, 1998, 54 of those had been placed in care in the community, and 172 had been transferred to similar accommodations at [[Norristown State Hospital]]. The buildings were locked, and the land was sold directly to Haverford Township for future care. | + | Conditions began to improve starting in 1987, and by the early 1990's the hospital had transformed itself and its dubious image, according to Silberner's report. Patients were involved in psycho-educational groups and recreation with a focus on self-help and internalizing personal change. However, the American public's sentiment was slowly turning against the idea of mental institutions as a whole, of which Haverford State Hospital was no exception. In June of 1990, [[Philadelphia State Hospital]] closed by court order, making way for a new method of decentralizing mental health services away from state hospitals, and towards community clinics. By 1996, 70,000 patients remained in state and county psychiatric hospitals. Lawyers successfully argued that under the new 'Americans With Disabilities Act', mentally ill people should be kept in the least restricted setting as possible. This decision of the courts put the final nail in Haverford State's coffin, as it deemed inpatient care clinically unnecessary in the context of late 20th century psychiatry. When the closing of the site was announced by the state in 1997, there were 262 patients remaining in residence. By June 3, 1998, 54 of those had been placed in care in the community, and 172 had been transferred to similar accommodations at [[Norristown State Hospital]]. The buildings were locked, and the land was sold directly to Haverford Township for future care. Since then, the township has struggled to find a proper use for the former hospital property. |
Outpatient community clinics were established in Delaware County in response to the absence of the former state hospital. These clinics, which are county funded, are: Northwestern Human Services in Sharon Hill, PA and Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Chester, PA. | Outpatient community clinics were established in Delaware County in response to the absence of the former state hospital. These clinics, which are county funded, are: Northwestern Human Services in Sharon Hill, PA and Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Chester, PA. |