The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) in the US has initiated the construction of a new inpatient psychiatric hospital in Wichita Falls.  

Texas governor Greg Abbott announced the ground-breaking on 24 September. 

This development follows the approval of $452m in funding by Abbott and the 88th Texas Legislature.  

Anticipated for completion in late 2027, the new hospital is being constructed to replace the existing North Texas State Hospital in Wichita Falls which opened in 1922.  

The new inpatient psychiatric hospital is set to offer enhanced psychiatric care with its 200 beds, which include 136 non-maximum-security and 24 maximum-security spaces.  

Such design, according to the Office of the Texas Governor, will ensure that both adult and adolescent patients have their respective living quarters, while the maximum-security unit incorporates safety measures for patients, staff, and the community. 

The new facility's design also prioritises patient recovery, featuring single-person rooms to maintain a balance of privacy and protection.  

Additionally, common activity areas and outdoor courtyards are included to foster healthy social interactions among patients. 

The hospital is part of a broader initiative that has seen more than $2.5bn invested in state hospital infrastructure since 2017. 

Abbott said: “This new state hospital in Wichita Falls will offer people in North Texas increased access to mental health professionals and high-quality treatments. 

“Last year, I signed a law that provided critical funding for Texas to expand and build new, modern mental health facilities across our great state.  

“Residents of North Texas will now have better access to essential mental and behavioural health treatments without having to drive hundreds of miles to receive the care they need.” 

The current North Texas State Hospital comprises one campus in Wichita Falls and two in Vernon, providing inpatient psychiatric services to various patient groups.  

The investment in the new hospital aligns with the ongoing efforts to modernise psychiatric care in Texas, as seen with recent hospital openings in Austin and San Antonio, and ongoing projects in Dallas and Terrell. 

Looking ahead, HHSC plans to commence construction for new hospitals in Amarillo and Lubbock in 2025, further expanding the state's mental health care infrastructure.