A Portland hospital, with the governor’s backing, wants to create Oregon’s first psychiatric ER

Legacy Health is in the early planning stages for a psychiatric emergency room in North Portland, an idea that's gained support from Gov. John Kitzhaber and Portland Mayor Charlie Hales.

The psych ER would provide a more efficient way to care for patients in mental health crisis who end up in the regular ER, which is ill equipped to handle their treatment.

Kitzhaber allocated $1 million in his proposed budget for the Oregon Health Authority to pay for care at the unit.

"The governor believes the proposal moves in the right direction to help people in need. He looks forward to continuing to have conversations with the community about whether this is possible," said spokeswoman Melissa Navas.

Legacy would foot the bill for the capital costs, which would amount to about $35 million to repurpose part of the Legacy Research Institute, at 1225 N.E. Second Ave., the former Holladay Park Hospital, said Dr. Chris Farentinos, director of behavioral health services for Legacy.

The building currently houses the Research Institute, which would remain there, as well as lab space, which is moving to a new building under construction next door. In addition, four floors are occupied by the state hospital, which is moving out next year.

If the stars align, the psychiatric ER would open in fall 2016.

"There has been a glaring need for such a facility here in the metro area for a long time," Hales said in an emailed statement. "Portlanders experiencing mental health crises need this, the care providers need this, and the Portland Police Bureau has been lobbying for it for years. Right now, it seems as if we're at a point where the state, the county, the hospitals, the CCOs, and the providers are all on the same page – and that's great."

Elizabeth Hayes covers health care for the Portland Business Journal.