Putting the Pieces Together
The Future of Care at NDSH
At North Dakota State Hospital (NDSH), the essential pieces for the future of mental health care in North Dakota are being fitted together. The new facility is designed to connect all the key elements needed to provide comprehensive, compassionate care. Each piece of this project, from innovative treatment spaces to staff support, aligns to create a complete picture of healing and well-being.
A Foundation of Care
For over a century, NDSH has served as a cornerstone of mental health services, adapting as the field has evolved. However, as mental health care advances, so must the infrastructure. The current facility, while historically significant, no longer meets modern needs. The decision to build a new NDSH is driven by several critical factors.
The development of the new North Dakota State Hospital marks a transformative step forward in our commitment to providing exemplary mental health care. It represents a future where our patients receive the highest quality care in a modern, supportive environment, and where employees are equipped to deliver this care effectively.
The North Dakota State Hospital (NDSH) facility replacement project in Jamestown, ND, represents a collaborative effort among the North Dakota Legislature, NDSH Leadership, the North Dakota Department of Health & Human Services, the design team, the owner’s representative, and construction teams. This collective endeavor has focused on defining project goals, establishing the scope, identifying opportunities to enhance operational efficiencies, and ultimately crafting a comprehensive design solution aimed at delivering exceptional patient care.
Throughout the development process, NDSH leadership, staff, and community members have been actively involved in shaping the project's direction. They engaged with the design and decision-making teams to share their insights, articulate their goals, and contribute to a forward-thinking vision for the North Dakota State Hospital. This collaborative approach has been crucial in creating a unified and clear vision for the facility’s future.
The outcome of this comprehensive process is a state-of-the-art North Dakota State Hospital facility. The new hospital will feature:
- 125 Inpatient Beds: Including 50 Adult Inpatient Beds, 25 Geriatric Inpatient Beds, 25 Forensic Inpatient Beds, and 25 Admissions Inpatient Beds.
- 40 SOTEP Treatment Beds: Dedicated to providing specialized care and treatment.
This new facility is designed to enhance patient care, improve operational efficiencies, and support the future needs of the community.
NDSH will continue to provide short-term acute inpatient psychiatric and substance abuse treatment, intermediate psycho-social rehabilitation services, forensic services, and safety net services for adults.
The new facility will include 125 total inpatient beds for Adult, Geriatric, and Forensic patients. This includes 40 beds for the North Dakota Sex Offender Residential Treatment (SOTEP).
To promote the health of patients, the facility will include:
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In addition to the inpatient living spaces, the facility will include a variety of therapeutic, clinical, and assessment spaces for patient care, as well as hospital administration & facility management spaces.
The new facility will utilize a modernized environment of care and is organized along a house-neighborhood-downtown model, featuring efficient circulation, and off-stage staff/service/material circulation for efficiency of delivering those services.
The new facility will be approximately 316,246 gross square feet and situated on a site west of the existing NDSH and James River Correctional Center (JRCC) campuses.
Combining the existing services with additional and improved facilities will position NDSH to work towards positive patient outcomes.
NDSH will continue to deliver:
- Short-term acute inpatient psychiatric and substance abuse treatment.
- Intermediate psycho-social rehabilitation services.
- Forensic services and safety net services for adults.
Facilities will include:
- Physical and Occupational Therapy
- Rehab Apartment
- Library
- Teaching Kitchen
- Bank
- Chapel
- Botanical Garden
- Arts Room
- Group Therapy Space
- Gymnasium / Multi-purpose Space
- Computer Labs
- Exercise/Fitness Room
- Barber
- Sensory Room
Combining existing services with new and improved facilities will position NDSH to achieve positive patient outcomes.
Key Drivers for Building a New State Hospital Facility
Aging Infrastructure
The original buildings total almost 650,000 sq ft, while historic, no longer meet the modern standards for safety, accessibility, and therapeutic environments. The need for a state-of-the-art facility that can support contemporary treatment modalities and patient care practices within one building (316,246 sq ft) has become very evident.
Increasing Demand
The demand for mental health services in North Dakota has grown significantly. Our new facility will both expand our capacity to serve more individuals and enhance our ability to integrate with the broader mental health care continuum. This integration is crucial for providing a seamless transition from hospital to community-based care.
Commitment to Excellence
The demand for mental health services in North Dakota has grown significantly. Our new facility will both expand our capacity to serve more individuals and enhance our ability to integrate with the broader mental health care continuum. This integration is crucial for providing a seamless transition from hospital to community-based care.Building a new facility represents our commitment to excellence in mental health care. It will allow us to implement cutting-edge practices and create an environment where both patients and staff can thrive.
What the New Facility Will Offer
Key Piece of the Future
Modern Care
The new facility is designed to snap into place all the elements required for contemporary mental health care. With updated patient rooms, advanced therapeutic spaces, and enhanced safety features, every aspect has been carefully connected to foster healing in a safe and welcoming environment.
Aligned Environment
Specialized Treatment Spaces
Dedicated areas for therapies such as occupational, physical, and psychiatric care are integral pieces in the design of the new facility. Each of these spaces is crafted to support specific treatment needs, ensuring a seamless flow of care tailored to each patient. This approach creates a unified experience, where all components of the treatment process interlock to form a comprehensive path to recovery.
Strong Framework
Safety and Sustainability
Safety and sustainability are critical components of the facility’s framework. The new design integrates advanced security measures and energy-efficient systems, ensuring that the facility meets the highest standards for care while supporting long-term environmental responsibility. Every decision has been thoughtfully made to align with both patient safety and sustainable practices.
Cornerstone of Care
Training and Support for Team NDSH
The staff is another crucial piece of the puzzle. With upgraded spaces for training, collaboration, and professional development, the new facility will provide the tools needed for staff to thrive. By investing in the team, NDSH ensures that the entire system works in harmony—where every role and individual fit together to create the best possible outcomes for patients.
Creating Pathways
Community Impact
The new NDSH facility will also connect to the broader community, strengthening mental health services across North Dakota. It will not only improve patient care but also bring economic benefits, creating jobs and fostering growth in the local economy. As all the pieces come together, the positive impact will be felt far beyond the hospital walls.
Looking Forward
Assembling the Future of Care
The new North Dakota State Hospital is not merely a physical building; it embodies a vision for the future of mental health care in the community. Just as each puzzle piece contributes to a complete picture, this facility represents a transformative approach to mental health—connecting every element of care from support services to treatment environments.
Piece by piece, the picture of a facility that prioritizes the well-being of patients, supports the growth of employees, and strengthens the health of communities is being completed. Together, a future is being built where everything fits—creating a cohesive system of care that supports every individual who walks through the doors.
As NDSH looks ahead, the focus remains on integrating innovative practices that align with patient needs and community resources. This new facility will serve as a central piece in the mental health landscape, creating pathways for collaboration, education, and healing.
By thoughtfully assembling these pieces, NDSH is dedicated to ensuring that the new facility will be a beacon of hope and healing, continuing a long tradition of care while setting a new standard for excellence in mental health services. Together, every piece will contribute to a cohesive system of care that supports every individual who walks through the doors, completing the puzzle of comprehensive mental health support in North Dakota.
Project Timeline
The completion of this facility will provide North Dakota with a premier institution dedicated to serving its most vulnerable mental health populations. Throughout each phase, NDSH has worked diligently to align the new hospital within the broader mental health care continuum, optimizing the state's investment in mental health services. Recommendations for advancing the project have been developed through work groups consisting of individuals with lived experience, community members, stakeholders, and system experts.
Legislators will be asked to consider these recommendations in the 69th Legislative Session, based on five key strategies designed to maximize the impact of the new facility and enhance mental health care in North Dakota.
The successful completion of these phases ensures that the new state hospital will be fully operational, well-integrated into the community, and equipped to deliver high-quality mental health care.
The early phases of predesign and schematic design were crucial in setting the stage for the new North Dakota State Hospital. By thoroughly assessing needs, evaluating site options, and developing preliminary designs with stakeholder input, these phases ensured the project meets contemporary mental health care standards while addressing the limitations of the existing facility. The successful completion of these phases laid the groundwork for a well-designed hospital that will serve the community for years to come.
Early Phases of Predesign and Schematic Design
The early project phases of predesign and schematic design have been pivotal in shaping the new North Dakota State Hospital project. These initial stages involved in-depth planning and strategic decision-making, laying a strong foundation for a facility that meets modern mental health care needs while addressing the limitations of the current infrastructure.
AUGUST - DEC 2023
Phase I: Predesign
Completed
DEC 2023 - MARCH 2024
Phase II: Schematic Design
Completed
APRIL - AUGUST 2024
Phase III: Design Development
Completed
SEPTEMBER 2024
Phase IV: Construction Documents
Underway
TO BE DETERMINED
Phase V:Completion and Operational Readiness