Webster First Federal Credit Union has issued a $20,000 donation to support construction of Southbridge-based Harrington HealthCare’s new psychiatric unit in Webster, Harrington announced.
The 16-bed, 8,200-square-foot unit will treat patients with mental illness and addiction. Partially funded by the state Health Policy Commission, the unit is scheduled to open in late 2016. The Health Policy Commission designated $1.4 million for construction, while Harrington is “actively seeking community support” to pay for the rest of the project. In addition to Webster First, Southbridge-based Savers Bank announced a $10,000 donation in November.
Harrington currently operates a 14-bed behavioral health unit on its main campus in Southbridge, but the new unit will significantly expand access for patients living in relatively remote areas of South Worcester County. The new unit is also unique, according to Greg Mirhej, vice president of Behavioral Health Services at Harrington.
“Our inpatient unit in Webster will be the first in Central and Western Massachusetts to offer a specialty track that addresses both mental illness and substance abuse,” Mirhej said.
