The PCCA unit was the inpatient adolescent psychiatric unit at Providence Sacred Heart, with a capacity of 25 beds (including an acute care area for patients dealing with high risk for harm to themselves and others). Providing Mental Health Counselors 24/7, in addition to nursing staff, this unit served patients with neurological disorders, chronic medical conditions (to include diabetes) and those with severe behavioral issues.

The closure of PCCA has been devastating for our nurses, and our community. Providence has not provided an alternative option for these in patients, nor have they provided additional staff internally to absorb the impact of the loss of the unit. Our community now no longer has any acute hospital resources for in patient needs when an adolescent is in a mental health crisis. For families to travel to a hospital on the west side of the state, not only will this add a burden to those families, but they will be divided due to where they live.

Enough is enough. It's time to rally up, and demand Providence do better! To suddenly do away with these resources is not only devastating for our nurses and their families, but also the less fortunate families and children of Spokane. Now, kids who didn’t have many options, have fewer options. It’s not okay.

Join us for WSNA’s “Rally for Accountability”

This is a family friendly event. Bring your family, neighbors, or coworkers. We are standing strong together to send a message to the community, that despite the choices Providence chooses to make, nurses care about you!

Questions? Contact Nurse Representative Jaclyn Smedley BSN, RN at jsmedley@wsna.org.