Frisbie CEO: Mental health treatment expansion necessary

March 24--ROCHESTER -- Frisbie Memorial Hospital CEO John Marzinzik said despite financial challenges involved in expanding mental health treatment capacity in the region, "collectively we can solve anything they put in front of us."

Marzinzik, who became CEO in January, described himself as the hospital's biggest cheerleader. On Monday, he welcomed state, county and local elected officials, as well as business representatives from the region, to Frisbie's conference center for the annual Tri-Chambers of Commerce Legislative Networking Breakfast. The event was presented by the Greater Rochester, Somersworth and Dover chambers of commerce.

Among topics discussed Monday morning were recent developments in the Legislature, including the proposed cuts to the N.H. Department of Transportation (DOT) and bills aiming to alleviate business taxes. Marzinzik, who was the first speaker at the podium, also spoke of the need to improve access to psychiatric treatment in the region. He described issues that arise from seemingly constant waiting lists for psychiatric services.

With a very limited number of beds available in New Hampshire, psychiatric patients in hospitals such as Frisbie often have to stay in the emergency room until a bed becomes available at the New Hampshire Hospital -- one of the few hospitals in the region that is permitted to accept patients on an involuntary basis, in cases where patients are in danger to themselves or others. The state hospital is publicly funded and typically has a waiting list at all times.

Marzinzik recalled that last summer, a 14-year-old girl with a psychiatric problem was dropped off at Frisbie by a relative, and then had to spend nine days in the emergency room until she was able to get care at the state hospital. During that time period, the only people that came to visit her were Frisbie's staff, he said.

He also said that Thursday last week, the hospital had four patients in the emergency room who needed psychiatric care, but the hospital had no where to send them because all beds at the New Hampshire Hospital were full.

Frisbie hospital only has a geriatric psychiatry unit, which serves older residents. The unit has 10 beds, and the hospital is in the process of adding 10 more.

Hoping to address capacity issues in a more significant way, Marzinzik said he plans to speak with Wentworth-Douglass Hospital officials about building a new center for mental and behavioral health. The center would be a joint investment by the hospitals, and although it's unlikely that such project would result in large revenues, it would keep patients from having to rely on emergency rooms when psychiatric care is needed, he said.

"It's not cheap but it's the right thing to do," he said. "Collectively we can solve anything they put in front of us. We can't sit on our hands, we can't say we can't afford it. We have to find a way to afford it ... It can be done."

Marzinzik said the talks about the new center are in very preliminary stages, and he plans to discuss the idea with Wentworth-Douglass Hospital officials next month.

While at the podium Monday, Marzinzik also addressed some developments in the Legislature that would have an impact on Frisbie. He said he hopes lawmakers reauthorize the Certificate of Need program to help keep medical costs down for hospitals and patients. He said the Certificate of Need Board, which approves large purchases and renovation projects for hospitals, helps prevent an "arms race" among hospitals. Marzinzik said he believes area hospitals can work together on finding smarter ways to save on costs.

Somersworth Economic Development Manager Christine Soutter also expressed support for recent bills that came before the Legislature, including SB2, which would reduce business enterprise tax, and SB6, which would increase the research and development tax credit.

Adequate funding to the N.H. DOT, and ensuring the state's roads and bridges are repaired and properly maintained, is also of great importance to businesses in the area, said Soutter.

According to Rochester Mayor T.J. Jean, the millions of dollars in cuts being proposed to the N.H. DOT budget would be catastrophic and Rochester may lose state aid for funding bridge repairs.

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