This is an open letter to the state Office of Mental Health.

As a member of this rural community and a former long term employee of Lakeshore Health Care Center, I am writing to ask you to reconsider the closure of the facility — particularly the Emergency Department, inpatient mental unit and substance abuse treatment beds.

While some outpatient services may be available, there are no inpatient beds in this area for patients with mental health and substance abuse needs. The location of the Irving facility near Exit 58 of the New York State Thruway made access to services convenient for patients in portions of three counties: northern Chautauqua and Cattaraugus, and southern Erie as well as the residents of the nearby Cattaraugus Indian Reservation.

Patients with mental health and substance abuse conditions who require inpatient treatment now have very few options. Distance, access and availability are critical factors when a patient is in crisis. In rural communities like ours, the time it takes to get to an ER can make the difference between life and death. Mount Saint Mary’s in Niagara County is expanding its substance abuse treatment services for the third time in four years, a clear indication of need. Our community’s need is just as great and yet services are being cut.

I was the director of community relations and development at Lakeshore when the state Office of Mental Health invested $750,000 to help build the 20-bed inpatient Mental Health Unit. At that time Lakeshore employed some 900 staff and was a well-managed, respected and valued health care provider. Lakeshore supported the community and the community supported Lakeshore. It would be fair to say thousands of patients with mental health and substance abuse conditions have received treatment and support over the years, many of whom would not have received care otherwise.

While there are many factors which contributed to Lakeshore’s decline over the years, it’s pretty obvious that much of it can be attributed to gross mismanagement and expensive buyouts for incompetent CEOs. What a disgrace that an entire community has to suffer for it.

Although I’m pretty sure the current board of directors and administration of Brooks/TLC has no intention of reversing its position, I hope the Office of Mental Health will protect its original financial investment and keep mental health, substance abuse, and emergency services (at a minimum) from permanent closure. Our community and the dedicated, caring professionals who worked at Lakeshore deserve better.

Elizabeth Accordino served as Lakeshore Hospital community relations and development director from 1987 to 1999.