Timberlawn Psychiatric Center
© Ron Baselice/Staff PhotographerFederal authorities have cut off funding to Timberlawn Mental Health System on Samuell Boulevard in Buckner Terrace.
Texas health regulators have ordered the largest psychiatric hospital in Dallas to close because of safety problems that endanger patients.

The Dallas Morning News reported Thursday that the Department of State Health Services has told Timberlawn Mental Health System to surrender its license and pay a $1 million fine.

State officials cited a patient's 2014 suicide, violent fights among patients, dirty conditions and medical records issues at the 144-bed complex.

Universal Health Services Inc., which owns Timberlawn, says it's made improvements at the 108-year-old campus, plus brought in new leadership and consultants. The company seeks to keep the hospital open and will make its case during an April 28 meeting.

The newspaper reports Timberlawn is one of the few psychiatric hospitals in Dallas that accepts the poor and uninsured.

Source: The Associated Press