SCRANTON, Pa.—The 10-bed adolescent psychiatric ward at Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre is closing in September.

That will mean First Hospital of Wyoming Valley in Kingston will be the only place in northeastern Pennsylvania with inpatient psychiatric care for those under 18.

When First Hospital doesn't have any beds available, patients are taken to the closest place with a vacancy, which sometimes means taking them to Philadelphia.

First Hospital CEO Joe Knecht says he plans to add beds to his adolescent psychiatric ward to make up for the closing ward at Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre.

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Information from: The Scranton Times, http://www.scrantontimes.com/


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