Dysfunction at Western State Hospital

Chad MinnickNews

A tough but accurate description of the current dysfunction at Western State Hospital:

“Lawmakers poured in at least $120 million in the last two years by opening more than 150 new short-term psychiatric beds in community hospitals and paying for two new wards at Western State Hospital.

Problem solved? Nope

Meanwhile, the hospital has a toxic labor-management culture, with rapid turnover, union votes of no confidence in the leadership and a pattern of retaliation against whistleblowers. Three years into Inslee’s administration, this is on him.”

We have been doing our job as legislators, adding funding. It is now up to the administration to actually provide the services.