Board approves 12.9 public-health positions to support acute psychiatric beds at SF General

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on Nov. 20 approved an amendment to the annual salary ordinance to add 12.9 positions in the Department of Public Health to support acute psychiatric beds at San Francisco General Hospital.

Supervisor Jake Mercarini introduced the item, saying two budget committee hearings found the city needs to retain psychiatric beds at San Francisco General and also develop community care alternatives. Mercarini said the Progress Foundation — a planned community-care provider cited by the Department of Public Health — will not be operational this fiscal year as earlier scheduled, and the additional positions are needed in the near term to preserve capacity at the hospital.

Supervisor Tom Chiu asked whether the Progress Foundation’s community-based care would come online this fiscal year; Harvey Rose of the Controller’s Office replied that testimony indicated the Progress Foundation would not assume responsibilities until the next fiscal year and that funds would be transferred administratively to support operations in the current year.

On the roll call the ordinance amendment passed on first reading with 11 ayes. The board’s action restores funding and staffing capacity for acute psychiatric beds at San Francisco General while planners continue to coordinate with the Progress Foundation on a longer-term community care transition.

The supplemental positions are intended to ensure continuity of care while the city monitors the Progress Foundation’s timeline to provide community-based services. Supervisors warned the city may face difficult budget choices in the next fiscal year and emphasized the need to plan for likely future shortfalls.