A New Hampshire hospital that treats brain injuries has been stopped from accepting new patients under a directive from Gov. Maggie Hassan, following a report from a disabilities rights group accusing it of abuse and neglect.
Hassan is calling for a review of the Lakeview Neurorehabilitation Center in Effingham. She said the reports of deficiencies "are deeply disturbing."
Dick Cohen of the Disability Rights Center says state and out-of-state agencies have looked at instances involving sexual abuse of residents; residents leaving the facility unattended; and residents harming one another and staff. They said one resident died after a 10-week stay, allegedly losing 50 pounds in a metabolic state of starvation.
Hassan said she will be "initiating an outside review of the Department of Health and Human Services handling of Lakeview, and its response to recent incidents at Lakeview. While this matter is pending, the state of New Hampshire will not place, or allow area agencies to place, any new patients at Lakeview, and we will notify other states with patients at Lakeview of our decision."
WMUR-TV reports Lakeview disputes the report's findings. Administrator David Armstrong said all have been reported and investigated and the center's license remains in good standing.
"We again emphasize that the health and safety of our employees and program participants is our No. 1 concern," he said.
Send us a letter
Have an opinion about this story? Click here to submit a Letter to the Editor, and we may publish it in print.
