Hospital partnership
According to a press release, the State of New Hampshire will enter a public-private partnership with Dartmouth Health to operate Hampstead Hospital and Residential Treatment Facility under a proposed agreement.
In a statement, Gov. Sununu said that “in 2022, the State of New Hampshire purchased Hampstead Hospital to ensure that critical mental health care services for children were not lost.This partnership with Dartmouth Health will ensure one of the country’s most prestigious health systems is taking care of New Hampshire’s kids. This is an amazing win-win opportunity that ensures world-class care while saving an estimated $20 Million annually in overhead costs to the state. Without this contract, the long-term stability of the state’s only mental health hospital for children is at significant risk.”
Hampstead Hospital and Residential Treatment Facility will provide inpatient psychiatric care, partial hospitalization services and psychiatric residential treatment center services, and Dartmouth Health will ensure that these services are available to children and young adults in alignment with New Hampshire Children’s Behavioral Health System of Care, according to the release.
Dartmouth Health currently provides behavioral health services at New Hampshire Hospital and the Youth Detention Center, according to the same release.
Home ski home
According to a press release, the New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism (DTTD) is anticipating an estimated three million people will visit New Hampshire this winter, with spending by those visitors expected to reach a record $1.6 billion.
In a statement, Taylor Caswell, commissioner of the NH Department of Business and Economic Affairs, said, “New Hampshire’s winter season is an integral part of our tourism industry, driving jobs, and supporting businesses in every corner of the state. Whether here for an experience on the slopes or off, every winter visitor is helping support the region’s economy and build on New Hampshire’s reputation as a premiere vacation destination.”
The news was announced as part of Ski New Hampshire’s Ski 603 Winter Kickoff at McIntyre Ski Area in Manchester, according to the press release.
In a statement, President of Ski NH Jessyca Keeler said that “our resorts are ready to welcome skiers and riders regardless of the forecast, after making capital improvement investments in snowmaking over the past year. Newer, more efficient equipment has made a dramatic difference, improving snow production and snow quality, while at the same time increasing sustainability and reducing energy impact. It enables ski areas to open earlier and stay open even when Mother Nature isn’t producing as much snow as we’d like.”
New Hampshire’s winter marketing campaign platform features outdoor adventures for all levels and abilities, indoor adventures, and the beauty of New Hampshire’s natural landscapes, according to the press release, and will fully launch in January in New England and eastern Canada.
No wait
According to a press release, The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and New Hampshire Hospital announced that on Friday, Dec. 6, there were no adults in hospital emergency departments (ED) waiting for inpatient psychiatric treatment and this marks the first time this has happened since DHHS began collecting data on the waitlist nearly four years ago.
In a statement, Gov. Sununu said, “Mission Zero set New Hampshire on a path to ensuring timely access to mental health care. Our work is not yet finished, but it is clear that our efforts have made great progress and are delivering results.”
In a statement, DHHS Commissioner Lori Weaver said that “for the past 14 months, our Mission Zero partnership has worked across the mental health system to develop new solutions to the issue. While we still have much work to do to eliminate the wait list for good, reaching zero today demonstrates that Mission Zero is working for the people of New Hampshire.”
The press release said that between Nov. 1, 2023, and Nov 1, 2024, the average daily waitlist declined 35 percent.
In October of this year, patients waited less than two days, three fewer days than the year prior, according to the same release.
Information on the number of adults waiting involuntarily in the Emergency Department for an Acute Psychiatric Bed can be found under the Inpatient Care & Coordination tab of the Mission Zero Dashboard on the DHHS website. Visit dhhs.nh.gov/programs-services/mental-health/mission-zero.
Holiday scams
According to a press release, the Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau of the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office is alerting residents about potential scams this holiday shopping season, specifically with online shopping and gift card frauds. Shoppers are advised to verify websites and to be cautious of “too good to be true” deals, and use credit cards for added protection; never buy gift cards for someone you don’t know, and avoid sharing card details with anyone; and confirm charity registration with the New Hampshire Charitable Trusts Unit before donating, according to the website.
New England Vegetable and Fruit Conference and Trade Show takes place from Tuesday, Dec. 17, to Thursday, Dec. 19, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown (700 Elm St.). Visit newenglandvfc.org.
The Ugly Sweater 4-Miler will take place Saturday, Dec. 14, at Backyard Brewery and Kitchen (1211 S. Mammoth Road, Manchester, 623-3545, backyardbrewerynh.com) at 9 a.m. All race proceeds will go to benefit three local animal rescue groups: the HumaneSociety of Greater Nashua, New Hampshire SPCA, and the Monadnock Humane Society. This 21+ event will include a post-race party. Registration is $40 ($50 on race day). Visitrunscore.runsignup.com.
The 10th Annual Hollis Luminaria Stroll & Town Band Concert on Saturday, Dec. 14, will include more than 2,000 luminaria lanterns, a Santa tractor parade,holiday craft shopping, a chili and cornbread dinner, music performances in Monument Square, a gingerbread house contest and bake sale. The stroll and tree lighting will be at 4 p.m. at Monument Square. The LitTractor Parade will begin at 4:30 p.m. Visithollisluminaria.org
