Tuesday December 11, 2007

DPC Task Force Announces Final Meeting Date

Dover – The Governor’s Task Force on the Delaware Psychiatric Center (DPC) is announcing the date for its final meeting to discuss and vote on a list of draft recommendations for suggested improvements at the facility.

The full nine-member Task Force will meet on Friday, December 14th from 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. in Training Rooms 1 and 2 of the Springer Building, which is located on the Herman Holloway Social Services Campus on Rt. 13 in New Castle.

Once voted on, the recommendations become final and will be incorporated into a report to be presented to Governor Ruth Ann Minner, which is due by December 15th. Governor Minner created the Task Force on the Delaware Psychiatric Center in August and charged the members to look for opportunities for continued improvement at the facility.

The group, comprised of patient advocates, individuals with psychiatric health care experience, and legislators serving on committees related to mental health issues began meeting in September and broke out into four subcommittees to examine several key areas.

These key areas include: reviewing the results of reports from all monitoring agencies, reviewing hiring, staffing and professional development procedures, looking at additional options for community placement of patients and looking at the need for a new DPC facility.

“The work before this Task Force has been challenging but rewarding,” said co-chair Rita Landgraf. “We believe that we will be making meaningful and effective recommendations for improvements to Governor Minner.”

“Our goal all along has been to make recommendations that will improve the quality of care for the patients at the DPC, who are among our most vulnerable citizens,” echoed Task Force co-chair Pete Ross.

Friday’s meeting is open to the public. For those who cannot attend the meeting will be webcast live in streaming audio and video on the Task Force’s website which can be found at www.dpctaskforce.delaware.gov. The agenda for Friday’s meeting was posted on the website last week, and can be accessed via the Public Task Force Meetings link on the right side of the page.