UCSD Health Shuts Down Hillcrest Mental Health Unit for Seniors: What It Means for Our Community

UC San Diego Health is planning to relocate its 14-bed mental health unit for seniors, affecting around 30 jobs. While they refer to this move as a relocation, the unit will close in August. The hospital is shifting resources to increase beds for general medical and surgical needs, a necessity as demand grows.

Dr. Steve Koh, director of community psychiatry at UCSD Health, emphasized that no layoffs have occurred so far. The focus is on reassigning affected staff to other facilities, including new outpatient centers. “We want to ensure that workers find opportunities elsewhere,” Koh said. He also noted that retraining programs will be available for those transitioning to new roles.

Interestingly, Dr. Koh mentioned that roughly two-thirds of patients currently served in the senior mental health unit do not need secure psychiatric care. Many are affected by short-term delirium or neurodegenerative conditions, which might be better treated in regular hospital beds. “Infections don’t require a psychiatric unit,” he added. Instead, memory care centers are more suited for those with dementia.

To enhance support for this population, UCSD plans to roll out home-based care programs using modern technology. Koch explained, “There are innovative ways to manage care while patients stay at home or in memory care facilities.”

The existing 30-bed psychiatric unit at East Campus already sees an average of 25 patients a day, meaning it can accommodate those transitioning from the Hillcrest unit. Koh reassured, “We’re confident that all patients will receive the care they need.”

In 2023, UCSD invested $200 million in the East Campus facility with the goal of enhancing mental health services. Although plans to partner with the county behavioral health department did not materialize, there remains a commitment to expanding support on a dedicated floor within the former hospital.

The initial aim was to add 30 new inpatient psychiatric beds. However, the current strategy may involve around 15 beds and a partial hospitalization program for patients requiring intensive but outpatient-level care. This approach serves those with conditions like PTSD and early-stage schizophrenia without confinement, allowing them to return home each evening after treatment.

UCSD has successfully implemented similar programs for eating disorders, demonstrating its commitment to innovative mental health care.

The university has pledged to support its staff with “preferential rehire” rights, but the specifics of these positions remain unclear. Meanwhile, the 18-bed mental health unit in Hillcrest will stay operational as long-term redevelopment plans are still in the planning stages.

As the healthcare landscape evolves, UCSD’s efforts reflect broader trends in mental health treatment that prioritize flexibility and patient-centered care. Access to timely and appropriate services remains crucial as communities adapt to changing needs. For more insights on mental health services, you can explore the National Institutes of Health.

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