Ancora Psychiatric Hospital
Encyclopedia
Ancora Psychiatric Hospital is a 600-bed hospital
located in the Ancora
section of Winslow Township, New Jersey
. Opened in 1955, the Ancora campus consists of 80 acre (32 ha). The hospital offers a multidisciplinary team approach to development and implementation of care. Ancora is the largest of the state's five public psychiatric hospital
s. Although the hospital is located in Winslow, it is assigned a Hammonton
mailing address.
Investigators found that "patients at Ancora suffer an undue risk of harm, stemming from the facility's failure to treat aggressive and self-abusive behavior and its failure to implement systems to protect patients from harm." Ancora also "segregates far too many patients for whom a hospital setting is not appropriate."
Ancora has had several issues at its campus, regarding crowded conditions and poor leadership.
Hospital
A hospital is a health care institution providing patient treatment by specialized staff and equipment. Hospitals often, but not always, provide for inpatient care or longer-term patient stays....
located in the Ancora
Ancora, New Jersey
Ancora is an unincorporated community within Winslow Township, New Jersey. The community is home to Ancora Psychiatric Hospital, located on Route 143 ....
section of Winslow Township, New Jersey
Winslow Township, New Jersey
As of the census of 2010, there were 39,599 people, 13,567 households, and 9,662 families residing in the township. The population density was 599.9 people per square mile . There were 12,413 housing units at an average density of 215.1 per square mile...
. Opened in 1955, the Ancora campus consists of 80 acre (32 ha). The hospital offers a multidisciplinary team approach to development and implementation of care. Ancora is the largest of the state's five public psychiatric hospital
Psychiatric hospital
Psychiatric hospitals, also known as mental hospitals, are hospitals specializing in the treatment of serious mental disorders. Psychiatric hospitals vary widely in their size and grading. Some hospitals may specialise only in short-term or outpatient therapy for low-risk patients...
s. Although the hospital is located in Winslow, it is assigned a Hammonton
Hammonton, New Jersey
Hammonton is a town in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the town population was 14,791. It is located directly between Philadelphia and the resort town of Atlantic City, along a former route of the Pennsylvania Railroad currently used by New Jersey...
mailing address.
Criminal investigation and controversy
In 2008, an investigation took place at Ancora by the U.S. Department of Justice. There has been a substantial number of repeated deaths and injuries among patients at the facility, since 2006. The investigation focused on whether patients were safe from harm, and whether residents were served in the most reconciled setting appropriate to their needs, along with their civil rights not violated.Investigators found that "patients at Ancora suffer an undue risk of harm, stemming from the facility's failure to treat aggressive and self-abusive behavior and its failure to implement systems to protect patients from harm." Ancora also "segregates far too many patients for whom a hospital setting is not appropriate."
Ancora has had several issues at its campus, regarding crowded conditions and poor leadership.