The Massachusetts Department of Public Health failed to inform officials and the public that it issued a staff report recommending the approval of a proposed ASC at the Lawrence Memorial Hospital of Medford, Mass., according to Medford Wicked Local.
Here are seven things to know:
1. Despite comments made at a Dec. 4 Medford City Council meeting, DPH has not yet granted final approval of a determination of need application for the proposed ASC.
2. On Nov. 8, DPH issued a "staff report" recommending approval of the DoN application. The DPH took this step without informing elected officials or all parties of interest, as required by state law.
3. Medford Mayor Stephanie M. Burke said the city should have been notified, as the proposed ASC will require approval from city boards.
4. After completing the staff report, DPH is required to hold a public meeting before to issuing a final decision, which was initially scheduled for Dec. 12. DPH pushed the meeting back to Jan. 9, 2019, recognizing the fact that it did not notify all interested parties about the original date of the public meeting or send all relevant parties the staff report.
5. Since the date has been pushed back, parties of record can comment on the report until Dec. 20. All written comments must be submitted to DPH at least 20 days before the meeting.
6. The staff report laid out seven recommended conditions for DoN approval of the $16 million ASC, a $16 million, which would span 17,500 square feet. The ASC would offer endoscopy, orthopedic surgery, ENT and plastic surgery services.
7. The report recommends Medford Surgery, a joint venture between Melrose (Mass.)-Wakefield Healthcare and Boston-based Shields Healthcare, contribute $533,824 to address the DoN Health Priorities — social environment, built environment, housing, violence and trauma, employment and education — at the local level, with the funds distributed over two to five years.