Royal Oaks Hospital Begins Expansion Project

Royal Oaks Hospital, is beginning an expansion project this week, in an effort to better serve the region.

The expansion will increase the total number of beds at the psychiatric facility, by adding 12 beds for adult patients and two beds for adolescent patients. According to a press release from the Royal Oaks, the expansion will also create 30 new jobs at the facility. Currently, there are 190 employees.

“We are very pleased and excited to see this project begin,” said Al Greimann, President/CEO of Royal Oaks Hospital. “The addition of adult beds is very much needed for our region, and the renovated space will enhance our mission of providing high-quality inpatient psychiatric care.”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) supplied the funding for the $3.2 million project that begins Wednesday (Feb 22), through its Rural Development Loan program.

In addition to the ability to care for more people, the project also calls for renovations to the admissions department, front visitor’s lobby, and administrative and physician offices.

“We are very happy to work with Royal Oaks Hospital in providing the funding for this project and recognize the need to improve the health care services in our region,” said Kelly Gregory, Area Director of Rural Development from the USDA office in Clinton. “We are also excited to see job growth occur in Henry County.”

Curtiss-Manes-Schulte, Inc., a construction company based in Eldon, MO, earned the General Contractor bid for the project, that is expected to take 12 to 15 months to complete.

Royal Oaks receives referrals from hospitals throughout central and southwest Missouri, after an individual accesses emergency department services due to a psychiatric crisis. Those patients are transferred to Royal Oaks for stabilization and treatment.

The Hospital opened in 1992 and in 2004 integrated with Pathways Community Health, which is a community behavioral health center headquartered in Clinton, MO. Now known as Compass Health, the nonprofit provides services across the state, and delivers behavioral health, primary and dental care, to Missouri residents regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay.