IRVING, N.Y. -- Capping off four years of developing a transformation and re-organizational plan, following an economic downturn and detrimental changes in rural health care, TLC Health Network in Irving announced Friday it's prepared to exit Chapter 11 bankruptcy early in December. The group filed Chapter 11 in 2013.

That court-approved plan includes a merger with Brooks Hospital in Dunkirk and an affiliation with Kaleida Health. The group plans to discontinue its medical surgical unit and nursing home services while looking to retain several others including, mental health, emergency care and physical therapy.

One of the major services on the horizon is a new 20-bed Chemical Dependency Unit currently under construction on the Lakeshore campus. Leaders say the need is based on the high mortality rate of opioid dependence across Northern Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Southern Erie counties.

"(It) will give the population in these areas a place that's closer to home so they can have their families involved for increased success. It's difficult when people go away to in-patient and then they return home and some of the same issues still remain," said Megan Schmitt, substance use disorder services director.

"It's something most organizations don't like to go through, but at the end, I do think we see a better future for all," said John Galati, TLC Health Network CEO. "Certainly there's more need for different types of services available that would be available through the system. A lot of people don't like to travel to Buffalo or out of area. but you still need to have the specialty approach when needed."

The new chemical dependency wing is set to open by March of next year.