Supervisor Mandelmann calls hearing on San Francisco General psych emergency services amid staffing and capacity concerns

Supervisor Mandelmann asked the Board to hold a hearing on conditions at the Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES) unit at San Francisco General Hospital, citing reporting that the unit has operated on a “condition red” since May 2020 and that nurses face regular, extended shifts.

Mandelmann said the hearing will examine four areas: staffing levels and reliance on temporary nurses; PES capacity relative to need and status of a proposed crisis diversion facility; the downstream effects of shortages across the behavioral-health continuum, including patients who remain in inpatient psych beds after being medically cleared; and the role of private hospitals in sharing the burden. Mandelmann noted reports that many recently hired behavioral‑health staff were not assigned to PES and said he wants short-, medium- and long-term staffing plans from the Department of Public Health.

Mandelmann told colleagues he wants the Controller and DPH to explain why, he said, there are over $100 million in unspent Prop C funds allocated to Mental Health SF and whether that is affecting the timeline for standing up new facilities. He cited examples of repeat encounters with the same individuals and said the system often fails to connect people in crisis to longer-term care. Mandelmann thanked Supervisor Ronan for co‑sponsoring the hearing request.

The board recorded multiple supervisors supporting the hearing request and entered it into the new-business record. The transcript does not include a subsequent hearing date or an assigned committee; those details were not specified during the April 19 meeting.