Midvale, UT: The notorious Rape Hospital in Midvale has lost its license for the 4th time. The hospital has closed its doors for patients.
Even Highland Ridge Hospital’s CEO, Jim Hess, has left the organization. There was confusion among workers as to whether he had quit or been dismissed.
Supporters of the closure of the facility include patients, workers, and legislators from the state. Because of the high rate of patient assaults and the low rate of staff reports to the police, Highland Ridge Hospital was nicknamed “The Rape Hospital” by some investigators and employees.
Between 2019 and now, Highland Ridge Hospital has been the site of 34 assaults and 20 sex assaults, as reported by the Unified Police Department.
Everyone from patients to staff to the police thinks the “actual” figure is higher; they point to instances where the facility refused to comply with legal mandates and report mistreatment by going to 911.
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In a letter outlining the facility’s failure to comply, the Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) referenced Highland Ridge Hospital’s track record of violating patient rights, which is “adverse to the public health, morals, welfare and safety of the people of the state.”
“I was told verbatim not to call 911,” said Emily Rose, who used to work at the facility as a behavioral health technician. “If anything was happening in the building, we were to deal with it ourselves within the building — never outside authority, no matter what. Even if it was an assault, a sexual assault, anything. We weren’t allowed to call 911.”
The persistent noncompliance will be addressed during this year’s interim session, according to Rep. Ken Ivory (R-West Jordan), who plans to do so by addressing the reaction of DHHS. His committee oversees health and human services in the House, and he chairs it.
Legislators such as Sen. Kathleen Riebe (D-Cottonwood Heights) and Rep. Andrew Stoddard (D-Midvale) have joined Ivory in demanding that Highland Ridge Hospital be closed. Ivory stated that he is still waiting for DHHS to address any issues before he can support that decision.
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With a conditional license in place, Highland Ridge Hospital continues to operate. Extra checks will be conducted on it now.
Additionally, the institution must employ a “independent monitor” who must report weekly to the state outlining any issues and updates on the facility’s progress. The job was filled by Carol Van Hook.