University of Virginia Inpatient Psychiatry Services Local Human Rights Committee
The University of Virginia (UVA) Inpatient Units located at Martha Jefferson Hospital Rucker 3 and at the Medical Center on 5 East are licensed by the Virginia Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services (DMHMRSAS) http://www.dmhmrsas.virginia.gov/. As a condition of being licensed, UVA's inpatient units are required to comply with regulations that assure the human rights of individuals receiving services on the inpatient psychiatric units. DMHMRSAS' Office of Human Rights implements these regulations which state that each patient has the right to:
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Retain his/her legal rights as provided by state and federal law
- Receive prompt evaluation and treatment or training about which he/she is informed insofar as he/she is capable of understanding
- Be treated with dignity and be free from abuse and neglect
- Not be the subject of experimental or investigational research without his/her prior written and informed consent or that of his authorized representative
- Be afforded the opportunity to have access to consultation with a private physician at his/her own expense
- Be treated under the least restrictive conditions consistent with his/her condition and not be subjected to unnecessary physical restraint or isolation
- Be allowed to send and receive sealed letter mail
- Have access to his/her medical and mental records and be assured of their confidentiality
- Have the right to an impartial review of violations of these rights and the right to access legal counsel; and
- Be afforded the appropriate opportunities ... to participate in the development and implementation of his/her individualized plan of care
(Taken from the DMHMRSAS website)
Virginia has a State Human Rights Committee (SHRC) which oversees the protection of human rights and ensures each licensed program has procedures and policies that assure the human rights of patients. The SHRC is also responsible for appointing local people to membership of Local Human Rights Committees. A Local Human Rights Committee (LHRC) consists of people who are not affiliated with the facility/organization and represent consumer, family, advocacy and external health providers. To provide each patient in the Medical Center's Inpatient Unit with the assurance that his/her rights as defined by the human rights regulations will be protected we have established the UVA Inpatient Psychiatric Services Local Human Rights Committee (UVALHRC).
"LHRCs review patient complaints not resolved at the program level; review and make recommendations concerning variances to the regulations; review program policies, procedures and practices and makes recommendations for change; conduct investigations; and review restricting programming."
(Taken from the DMHMRSAS website)
The members of the LHRC at UVA include:Each LHRC is advised by a Regional Advocate who is assigned to each region by the DMHMRSAS and is employed by this department. The advocate represents the patients who allege that their rights have been violated. The advocate will monitor compliance with the human rights rules and regulations and investigate any allegations made by a patient who is not satisfied with the outcome provided by the medical center. Our Regional Advocate is Chuck Collins.
If you have questions, concerns or wish to make a complaint, let us help you.
DO THE FOLLOWING:
- Ask to speak with the unit manager (Susan Hess) or call from within the hospital 434-982-8271 (Rucker 3) and 434-924-2978 (5 East);
- Call the UVA Patient Representative at 434-924-8315
- Call the LHRC Director, Penny Horner at 434-982-6656
- If you believe your Rights have been violated you may call:
- Call/Contact the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services Regional Advocate
Each LHRC is making the minutes of its meetings available on line. Please see below.
The July 20, 2007 meeting was cancelled because we didn't have a quorum.
The LHRC meetings are open to the public. The next meeting is scheduled for April 18, 2008 at 12:00pm at the University of Virginia Health System. If you plan to attend, please contact Susan Hess at 434-924-2978