HELENA – Lawmakers heard hours of testimony Friday about critically low staffing levels at Montana State Hospital, during a tense hearing with state health officials, workforce representatives and patient advocates. A federal investigation in late September, first reported by Lee Newspapers State News Bureau, found that staffing shortages at the state’s only public psychiatric facility had resulted in patient neglect and possibly a patient’s death. The health department is accepting contracts for temporary management of the hospital through Jan. 26, with a start date in February.
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