Prairie View changing to urgent care center

NEWTON, Kan. (KSNW) — A leading mental health provider in south-central Kansas is shifting its focus. The shift means a temporary furlough for some of its workers.

Prairie View Hospital will transition to a Behavioral Urgent Care Center (BUC), with an anticipated opening in early April.

Officials say the shift is to meet the evolving needs of the community. BUC will offer crisis intervention and emergency assessments to those experiencing a mental health crisis.

“We are taking an exciting step forward in our commitment to serve patients in crisis with this new level of care,” Dr. Alisha Coulson, psychiatrist and Prairie View medical director, said in a news release. “We are thrilled to introduce this new level of care for patients who need it the most.”

“Prairie View is committed to meeting the communities’ needs. The goal of this unit is to do just that for citizens and partners alike,” Marcy Johnson, Prairie View president and CEO, said.

Prairie View has temporarily furloughed inpatient staff because of the hospital closing and to get ready for the BUC opening.

A news release says, “We appreciate the understanding and cooperation of our staff during this transition period, and we are committed to supporting them throughout this process.”

Prairie View is one of the state’s first Certified Community Behavioral Health Centers to provide crisis intervention.

Prairie View’s main campus is in Newton. It has outpatient locations in Hillsboro, Hutchinson, McPherson, and Wichita.