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The new County-funded Psychiatric Health Facility in Oceanside has completed its first month of operation, providing short-term inpatient psychiatric care to a total of 31 people to date with 10 in care earlier this week.
Staff moved into the 16-bed facility in November for training, and the first patient was admitted Dec. 29.
Located on the western edge of the Tri-City Medical Center campus, this is the first County-funded inpatient psychiatric health facility in San Diego. It expands access to behavioral health services for North County residents and adds to the region-wide network of specialty care.
“Adults in crisis are now able to get essential behavioral health care that is tailored to their needs,” said Nadia Privara Brahms, Director of County Behavioral Health Services. “And by establishing this new service in the North County, each beneficiary can access the care they need, when they need it within their community.”
The facility accepts referrals from local Crisis Stabilization Units and emergency departments, and is available for Medi-Cal members countywide.
Patients receive support through therapeutic groups, health consultations, occupational therapy and optional sunset mediations sessions. The care team includes psychiatrists, therapists, and nurses.
The $27.6 million medical facility was developed through a collaborative partnership between the County and Tri-City Healthcare District, which operates Tri-City Medical Center. Exodus Recovery, a long-standing County behavioral health provider, operates the facility. It is designed to serve 350 – 500 patients annually, with an average stay of five to seven days.
Through partnerships with community organizations and healthcare providers, the County works to create a coordinated system of care that supports resilience, equity and improved health outcomes across San Diego County. Visit the Psychiatric Health Facility webpage to learn more.