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Mayor and emergency managers warn of strained hospital capacity, urge pursuit of crisis center RFPs
Summary
Mayor Rowan Hopkins and emergency management staff told council that local hospitals are consolidating services and emergency rooms are strained; county-level RFPs for a crisis center were discussed and local officials said they are pursuing proposals and training partnerships.
Mayor Rowan Hopkins and borough emergency-management and police officials described mounting pressure on regional hospitals and emergency responders during the July 17 meeting.
Hopkins said area hospital capacity has narrowed: “There used to be 6 hospitals in this area. Now, at Eastern Delta, now we’re down to 2.” He said closures and changes in Medicaid and Medicare reimbursements are stressing emergency departments and police and emergency medical personnel who must manage behavioral-health patients arriving at ERs.
Emergency-management staff and the police chief said they are coordinating with county providers and responding to a range of incidents, including several violent or high-acuity behavioral-health cases. Emergency management reported participation in provider meetings and that proposed crisis-center requests for proposals (RFPs) are being drafted countywide; staff said county proposals have reflected needs discussed by local officials.
The police chief described recent training with the Delaware Domestic Abuse Project’s lethality assessment program and said the department is partnering with neighboring jurisdictions for shared responses. Emergency-management staff and a council member said a group of county stakeholders is working to train responders in trauma and mental-health awareness and to push for a crisis center in Delaware County.
Council did not vote on new funding or adopt an ordinance. Officials asked staff to remain engaged with county RFP processes, pursue training options for first responders, and report back on outcomes. The discussion emphasized growing demand on local emergency services and the need for more community-based crisis resources.
