CHAPTER 676
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 59
EXPRESSING DEEP CONCERN AND UNWAVERING SUPPORT IN BEHALF OF THE DELEGATION FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES, THE DIVISION OF MENTAL HEALTH, THE STAFF FROM THE DELAWARE STATE HOSPITAL AND THE MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF DELAWARE IN THEIR APPEAL CONCERNING THE LOSS OF ACCREDITATION OF THE DELAWARE STATE HOSPITAL.
WHEREAS, the members of the 127th General Assembly of the State of Delaware, along with the Governor of the State of Delaware, have been advised that a delegation is leaving on June 6, 1974, for Chicago, Illinois, for the purpose of appealing to the Joint Commission on Hospital Accreditation as a result of the loss of accreditation of Delaware State Hospital; and
WHEREAS, the Delaware State Hospital has been denied accreditation by the Joint Commission on Hospital Accreditation; and
WHEREAS, the loss of accreditation will cause the cancellation of Medicare and Medicaid benefits, the cancellation of approved training programs for mental health professionals at Delaware State Hospital, and a catastrophic decline in morale among the patients and staff of Delaware State Hospital; and
WHEREAS, Delaware State Hospital has been granted an appeal hearing before a council of the Joint Commission on Hospital Accreditation in Chicago, Illinois, on Monday, June 10th, 1974; and
WHEREAS, recommendations have been proposed to the Governor, The Honorable Sherman W. Tribbitt, to wit: (1) the phasing out of the Biggs Building as a geriatric facility; (2) the use of funds previously allocated for the repairs of the Biggs Building to meet major physical plant deficiencies throughout Delaware State Hospital; (3) the use of residual funds and capital improvement funds to meet emergency, fire and safety needs throughout Delaware State Hospital; (4) the funding of 75 additional patient-related positions at a cost of $405,000 annually to be added to the omnibus bill; (5) immediate support of efforts to up-grade salaries of psychiatrists, psychologists and physicians in order that Delaware State Hospital may attract and retain qualified professional staff; and
WHEREAS, these recommendations constitute those essential remedial acts without which Delaware State Hospital cannot regain accreditation.
NOW, THEREFORE:
BE IT RESOLVED by the 127th General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the Governor concurring therein, that we pledge our best efforts to secure necessary funds and proper administrative changes as shall be necessary to regain the accreditation of Delaware State Hospital.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution be made a part of the Senate and House Journals and that a copy be forwarded immediately upon passage by air mail special delivery to the Joint Commission on Hospital Accreditation.
Approved June 7, 1974.