Officials defend mental hospital plans

Georgia officials have submitted court documents saying they have taken significant steps to address the problems at the state’s seven psychiatric hospitals.

The state entered into an agreement with the Justice Department in January to improve the hospitals. The Justice Department recently informed the court that it could no longer support its own motion to have the court adopt that agreement.

Patient advocates say abuse, neglect and poor medical care have contributed to hundreds of patient injuries and deaths.

The court filing on Wednesday argued against a request to hold a court hearing on the state’s progress.

Tom Wilson, a spokesman for the state Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, says the state has until Jan. 15 to be in significant compliance with the settlement.

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Information from: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, http://www.ajc.com