COALINGA (KMJ) — Organizers of a protest rally inside Coalinga State Hospital are now submitting signatures so that the media can see it.
Patients inside are planning a demonstration for May 15th. The issue is that those inside are not allowed out, and patient Jeffrey Gambord says those on the outside wanting to report on it are not being allowed in due to state and federal HIPPA laws.
“Our counter proposal is that 250 patients are going to sign media releases,” explained Gambord.
The aim is to grant both sides access to the facility’s Grand Meeting Room, so that their issues with the facility can be made public.
“This is a rally against the California State Legislature for failing to order an audit of the California SVP program and all operations at Coalinga State Hospital, which we believe are out of control and misguided.”
In response, the California Department of State Hospitals stated that it has processes in place at all of its hospitals “by which complaints (by patients or staff) are reported, documented and investigated by hospital police. Patients and staff are all made aware of these processes as well as the appeal options available. Allegations of physical abuse, neglect and exploitation, received by DSH, are reported to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the California Health and Human Services Agency – Office of Law Enforcement Support.”
State officials added that there audits of the site conducted, most recently in 2018 by the Department of General Services and 2015 by the California State Auditor (click here for more information).
Hear the report from KMJ’s Dominic McAndrew as it aired:
