AUGUSTA (AP) — A report issued by the former chief justice of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court says Augusta’s Riverview Psychiatric Hospital is still having issues with staffing and space.
The Portland Press Herald reported that a report issued Tuesday by Daniel Wathen acknowledged that the state Department of Health and Human Services, which runs Riverview, has made progress in alleviating staff shortages and improving employee morale.
But it said the center still doesn’t have enough nurses on its staff and lacks the bed space needed to treat patients.
The report said some forensic patients have been sent to the state’s second mental health hospital.
It comes as GOP Gov. Paul LePage and legislative Democrats negotiate an agreement that would allow a 21-bed facility to be built on the grounds of Riverview.
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