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Worcester M-POWER's Ongoing Campaign For Privacy At WSH
Peter Foulkes, a leader in theWorcester Chapter of M-POWER, describes the ongoing struggle to insure a modicum of dignity in the living conditions for inpatients at Worcester State Hospital. The Centerpiece of the Worcester Chapter’s activities has been a campaign to enforce the right to privacy at Worcester State Hospital (WSH). Over a lengthy period of time and in numerous meetings many chapter members have taken a role in confronting the administration of the hospital over this issue. The absence of a permanent chief operating officer (COO) at Worcester State and the practice of rotating acting COO’s has delayed a final resolution to this campaign. The current acting COO is Dr. Tom Horn, who is the DMH Central Mass Area Medical Director. The Worcester Chapter has also been negotiating with the current Interim Assistant COO Cathy Samko. We have been informed that a permanent COO has been appointed by DMH Commissioner Marylou Sudders, but no date has been set for him to take office. The campaign arose out of a 1997 law giving hospital patients five fundamental rights, one of which is privacy in resting sleeping, dressing bathing and personal hygiene. The campaign began with research by chapter members on problems of privacy in showering at WSH, which led to a well-received letter from the chapter to Raymond Robinson, then- COO of the hospital. Fast forward to Jan 29, 2001, when the chapter met to review progress so far, and to draw up an agenda for a meeting with Dr. Tom Horn, acting COO of the hospital. The proposed agenda included (1) a discussion of who we are and what we do, (2) the history of the shower campaign, (3) a statement of our frustration at the length of time we’ve been waiting for action on the shower issue, (4) a request for a 30- day compliance plan by the hospital with the Bill of Rights, and (5) a demand for an end to “herding” of patients into showers. In addition, there would be requests for an explanation of the WSH complaint proceduring; for a Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DPPK) training for all patients at WSH, twice a year; for a 1- 800 line to the Human Rights Officer (HRO) at WSH, which would be posted on all wards; and for a resource center for patients to hear about housing, mental health programs, case management, voting, advocacy, and clubhouses. This agenda was translated into a meeting format with Dr. Horn on February 28, 2001, which also included an update by Dr. Horn. Dr. Horn had previously provided the chapter with a shower policy draft drawn up by the hospital, and chapter representatives had prepared a short list of changes to the draft policy. Dr. Horn and Cathy Samko, Acting Assistant COO responded to the chapter’s requests; and indicated that the hospitals proposed shower policy, with proposed changes, would be considered at a policy committee meeting, and then at an Executive Committee meeting. The chapter would be informed by Cathy Samko of any changes. A Chapter meeting on March 8th discussed the meeting with Dr. Horn and Cathy Samkos and possible strategies for responding to possible actions by the WSH administration. This came to a head on April 2, 2001 at a meeting between chapter representatives, Dr. Horn— who had to leave early—and Cathy Samko. Dr. Horn reviewed a list of requests by the chapter, which he intends to deal with at our next meeting. Cathy Samko was assissted by Susan Lovely, in discussion training at WSH patients in excercising their human rights. Susan provided sample human rights training folders for chapter representatives to show them what patients get for training. This is the approximate stage of shower and other policy discussions at the present time, between Worcester M-POWER and the WSH administration. Ann Stillman of the M-POWER homeoffice, who attended the April 2 meeting, was impressed by the chapter’s preparation for the meetings, and by how much the chapter negotiators got of what they wanted in the policy. She was also impressed by Cathy Samko’s comfort and openness in dealing with Worcester M-POWER as a significant bargaining unit. Anne Thoegersen, also of the Boston home office, was impressed with the calm tone, and friendlier attitude than she’d expected, from the WSH administration. Anne also was impressed with the balance between the M-POWER co-chairs, Jo-Ellen being “nice” and Idella being assertive. This balance seemed to work well in negotiations with WSH administrators. |
