Thursday, November 1, 2007

Governor’s DPC Task Force Announces Upcoming Task Force and Subcommittee Meetings

Dover – The Governor’s Task Force on the Delaware Psychiatric Center (DPC) is announcing its upcoming Task Force and Subcommittee meetings as the members continue their work to review practices and recommend improvements at the DPC.

Subcommittee 1 will meet on Tuesday, Nov. 6 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. in Room 301 of the Main Administration Building of the Herman M. Holloway, Sr. Health and Social Services campus on Rt. 13 in New Castle. The group will be provided with an updated report from the Disabilities Law Program, testimony from the Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse’s Medical Director, and testimony from the DPC Chief of Psychiatry on physician interaction with the Performance Improvement Unit (PIU). Testimony on DPC’s approach to treatment and recovery will also be provided by Chief Physcian Dr. Lawrence Markman. DPC Deputy Director Susan Robinson will also provide an update on the CMS Validation Survey.

The full nine-member Task Force will meet on Friday, Nov. 16 from 1 – 4 p.m. in Training Rooms 1 and 2 of the Springer Building, which is also located on the Holloway Campus. The agenda will include reports from each of the four subcommittees, their proposed next steps of review and action, communication from advocacy groups, and the opportunity for public comment.

Subcommittee 4 will hold its next meeting on Monday, Nov. 19 from 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. in Training Rooms 1 and 2 of the Springer Building. The primary purpose of this meeting is to take public comment specifically about the adequacy of the current DPC facility or the need for a new building. Anyone who wishes to speak will be given 3- 5 minutes to share their opinion.

All subcommittee meetings are open to the public. Agendas are posted seven days in advance as required by law on the State’s public meeting calendar, which can be found on the DPC web site at www.dpctaskforce.delaware.gov via the Public Task Force Meetings link.

Governor Minner created the Task Force on the Delaware Psychiatric Center in August to make recommendations for suggested improvements at the facility. The Task Force recommendations are due in a report to the Governor no later than December 15, 2007.