Goldsboro - Patients have been safely moved and now occupy the new Cherry Hospital as of Thursday, Sept. 29, 2016. The hospital, dedicated Aug. 30 in a ceremony attended by Gov. Pat McCrory, provides psychiatric care to individuals with the greatest need and the least resources who live in 38 eastern North Carolina counties.
In coming months, Cherry Hospital will expand its capacity by 116 psychiatric beds, bringing the total beds to 313. To adequately staff the additional beds, 373 new jobs will be added, bringing the total to more than 1,300 employees.
"I am very proud of our staff and thankful for their tremendous and tireless efforts during the last several months as we transitioned to this new building," said J. Luckey Welsh, Jr., Chief Executive Officer, Cherry Hospital. “We are excited to be safely in the new facility where we will continue to provide hope, care and recovery for our patients.”
The previous hospital at 201 Stevens Mill Road was composed of several buildings where patients have received care for more than 100 years. The new, single-structure, three-story building with approximately 410,000 square feet of space provides expanded services and additional capacity. It features a state-of-the-art laboratory, internal and external courtyards, dental and radiology departments, and a treatment mall.
“I watched patients enter this grand facility, their faces lit up with joy and their voices exclaimed their excitement,” said Welsh. “They were ready for this day because of thoughtful preparation and reassurance from our staff.”
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The Division of State Operated Healthcare Facilities oversees and manages 14 State Operated healthcare facilities that treat adults and children with mental illness, developmental disabilities and substance use disorders. Combined, these facilities employee more than 10,000 people and have the capacity to serve nearly 3,000 individuals with complex acute care needs that are not available in their communities. In SFY 2015-2016 the facilities served more than 8,500 individuals.