THE PUBLIC HEALTH COUNCIL OF THE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH              
HENRY I. BOWDITCH PUBLIC HEALTH COUNCIL ROOM, 2ND FLOOR
250 WASHINGTON STREET, BOSTON, MA
________________________________________________________

REVISED Docket:  Wednesday, February 11, 2009, 9:00 AM ________________________________________________

1.	ROUTINE ITEMS:  No Floor Discussion

a.	Compliance with Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 30A, §11A ½ (No Vote)

b.	Record of the Public Health Council Meeting of December 10, 2008 (Not heard – will be taken-up next month)

2.	PROPOSED REGULATIONS: No Floor Discussion/Information Only

a.	Informational Briefing on Proposed Amendments to 105 CMR.445.000:  Minimum Standards for Bathing Beaches (State Sanitary Code, Chapter VII)  (No Vote)

b.	Informational Briefing on Proposed Amendments to 105 CMR 130.000 (Hospital Licensure) [Chapter 305 Changes]  (No Vote)

c.	Informational Briefing on Proposed Amendments to 105 CMR 140.000 (Licensure of Clinics) [Chapter 305 changes]  (No Vote)

3.	DETERMINATION OF NEED - CATEGORY 1 APPLICATION:

Project Application No. 3-3B62 of Lowell General Hospital – new construction of a six-story seven level) stand-alone bed tower on the existing Hospital campus to increase the Hospital’s adult medical/surgical capacity from 121 beds to 148 (an addition of 27 beds), relocate 30 existing medical/surgical beds, and expand surgical capacity from 10 operating rooms (ORS) to 13 ORs.  Construction of the new facility will also allow the Hospital to add a new emergency and trauma center and relocate radiology and laboratory services from other existing buildings.  Some renovation of existing adjacent building space will also be required to enlarge the emergency department’s waiting and triage area, as well as connect the new tower to existing buildings.  (Approved)  

- Over-

02-11-2009 PHC Mtg.			- 2-

4.	PRESENTATIONS:  (No Vote/Information Only) 

 “Highlights from Massachusetts Births 2007”, by Malena Hood, Senior Epidemiologist, Division of Research and Epidemiology, Bureau of Health Information, Statistics, Research, and Evaluation

“Department of Public Health’s Response to Birth Data”, by Dr. Lauren Smith, Medical Director 

5.  PRESENTATION:  (No Vote/Information Only)

“Determination of Need Community Health Initiatives Update”, by Geoff Wilkinson, Senior Policy Advisor

The Commissioner and the Public Health Council are defined by law as constituting the Department of Public Health.  The Council has one regular meeting per month.  These meetings are open to public attendance except when the Council meets in Executive Session.  The Council’s meetings are not hearings, nor do members of the public have a right to speak or address the Council.  The docket will indicate whether or not floor discussions are anticipated.  For purposes of fairness since the regular meeting is not a hearing and is not advertised as such, presentations from the floor may require delaying a decision until a subsequent meeting.