State hospital to get help from FA, D-H

Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Fletcher Allen Health Care to work
with Vermont Department of Health to Improve Patient Care at Vermont State
Hospital
WATERBURY-Agency of Human Services Secretary Charlie Smith today announced
that the State of Vermont will work with Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical
Center and Fletcher Allen Health Care to find solutions to continuing
problems with patient care at the Vermont State Hospital.
"This brings the expertise of both academic medical centers to the table,"
said Smith. "This is one unexpected but very welcome result of a search
process we've been engaged in for the past several months. We hope and
expect our work with both Dartmouth-Hitchcock and Fletcher Allen will lead
to state-of-the-art, 21st century medical care and systems for the Vermont
State Hospital."
The Vermont Department of Health, which took charge of the hospital on
July 1, is conducting an extensive bid process to hire a contractor to
provide psychiatric clinical services there. Both Dartmouth Hitchcock and
Fletcher Allen Health Care have submitted proposals. A limited contract
for clinical services of psychiatrists is currently held by Fletcher Allen
Health Care. That contract expires December 31, 2004.
"This is a turning point for the hospital-we will not be satisfied with a
quick fix" said Health Commissioner Paul Jarris, MD. "Dartmouth-Hitchcock
is a nationally recognized leader in state-run mental hospitals and
Fletcher Allen has practical experience at this hospital. After looking at
both proposals, we decided to take another look at how we provide patient
care-before entering into a new contract.
Fortunately, both
Dartmouth-Hitchcock and Fletcher Allen have indicated a willingness to
step up to the challenge of redefining the standard of care. Consumers and
other stakeholders will also be invited into the process so we can make
sure that we provide the highest quality care in a manner that is
sensitive to the desires and needs of those who are served.