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UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES GETS STATE LICENSE

Psychiatric Services at the University of Virginia Medical Center has received licensure from the Virginia Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services. The license, which became effective on Friday, Nov. 15, is for inpatient psychiatric service for adults.

I am very pleased that our institution has applied for and received this state license, said Dr. Randolph Canterbury, medical director of U.Va. psychiatric services. It demonstrates our compliance with all of the state's licensure requirements including the new human rights regulations.

The new human rights regulations include the mandatory formation of a human rights committee. This committee of five will work with U.Va. psychiatric services to ensure that patient needs are being met according to the state's rules and regulations. Currently, U.Va. psychiatric services is affiliated with Western State Hospital's human rights committee.

This affiliation gives us the chance to become more proficient in the requirements for setting up our own local committee, said Priscilla Shuler, psychiatric services administrator. Western State has a strong and active human rights committee from which we can learn.

The license is effective through May 14, 2003.

November 27, 2002