This week, WellSpan Philhaven – Mt. Gretna opened their newly renovated inpatient unit, which features more patient beds, modern amenities, and uses evidence-based design to deliver patient care.

The renovation project began in June 2022 and relocated some outpatient offices on the campus to expand the adult inpatient unit by adding 22 new patient beds. With the expansion, Mt. Gretna now has 140 inpatient beds to serve the growing behavioral health needs of our community.

In 2022, WellSpan saw a 30 percent increase in behavioral health patients compared to 2021. That is why we have invested more than 30 million dollars into growing and expanding our behavioral health services, including the renovations to the Mt. Gretna campus.

Opening the new inpatient unit in Mt. Gretna is also exciting for WellSpan York Hospital. We can move to the next phase in our behavioral health investment and begin renovations on the inpatient behavioral health units in York.

Renovations to our inpatient units will be split into two phases. During the first phase, C and D units will close for construction. When complete, they will reopen and A and B units will close for renovation. The entire unit will be completely remodeled in the process.

Work on the inpatient unit at York Hospital is anticipated to be complete in January 2025.

In addition to the new patient beds at Mt. Gretna, WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital has also added more capacity to care for patients on their behavioral health unit.

Throughout the next two years, total inpatient behavioral health bed capacity will vary across our three regions at WellSpan, with increases in the East and West Regions and total capacity decreasing in the Central Region.

The system has developed a strategy based on patient length of stay to help improve flexibility at all three hospitals during renovations. This will also help minimize impact on York Hospital’s Emergency Department from the closed behavioral health units. 

The Emergency Department may have more Behavioral Health patients occupying beds than usual during renovations. Behavioral Health team members will be in the Emergency Department to help care for patients. We will also utilize our Emergency Department diversion services, such as the START Clinic, to help connect patients with the care they need before they turn to the ED for help.