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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-26-1978 Board of Health MinutesPLAINVIEW-HALE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH MINUTES October 26, 1978 The regular monthly meeting of the Plainview -Hale County Board of Health was held at K -Bob's Steak House on October 26, 1978. Those in attendance were: Dr. C.M. Baldwin, Dr. Richard Morgan, Dr. John P. Board, Jr., Mr. Bud Law, Mayor Bob Wayland, Judge Henry Heck, Mr. Ray D. Blair, Dr. C.L. Busby, Mrs. Mary Lou Truesdale, and Mrs. Billie Jo Newsom. The meeting was called to order by Dr. Baldwin. The minutes of the September meeting were approved as circulated. The motion was made by Dr. Morgan, and seconded by Dr. Busby that the September bills be paid. Dr. Baldwin asked for a report from Dr. Board, who began his remarks by stating that he was concerned about the withdrawal of services from Petersburg and Abernathy, as well as some from Hale Center. Although he concurred with the withdrawal of clinic services, he feels that Mr. Sims' activities will need to continue as usual; as well as some home visits by the nursing staff. The Board members agreed that these will continue. to be available. Dr. Board said that he is having prepared, and will make available to the Board members by the next meeting date, a statement showing the role played by Region 2 in the funding and staffing support that they provide the Hale County Health Unit. He outlined briefly, and generally, what these are: 1) To iritially provide services to counties that are without any resources. 2) To provide services such as inspection, monitoring, and licensure of nursing homes, in areas where, by statute, these are not provided by the local unit. 3) Supporting local units in certain programs that they cannot affort, such as venereal disease control. These and others come out of a regional fund, which, to Hale County, amounts to between $45,000 and $50,000 per year. A breakdown of these items will be included in the statement prepared by Dr. Board for presentation to the local Board of Health. Dr. Board reported that he has contacted Dr. W.R. Ross, Bureau Chief of Local Health Services, and Dr. A.M. Donnell, Jr., State Deputy Commissioner, concerning the organizational needs of the Plainview -Hale Couhty Health Unit. They insisted that the local budget bottom line figure must remain at least the same as last year's budget. They also agreed that the local unit should not acquire another director in a "lame -duck" situation. It was brought to the attention of the Board that they had voted at the September meeting to go under regional supervision for only one month until further study could be made by the Board members. It was explained that even if Dr. Wagner had remained as Director, that the local Health Department would go under regional supervision, if the State Board of Health approved the Steering Committee report, and if the legislature enacted the proposed legislation. It was also pointed out that, should the local Board decide to accept regional supervision, they could change the plan at any time in the interim, should they choose. /~ Minutes October 26, 1978 Page 2 Judge Heck had to leave the meeting early, but pledged full support and cooperation of the County to Dr. Board. Mrs. Truesdale then shared with the Board, the attitudes of confidence on the part of the Health Department staff in Dr. Board's directorship. Mrs. Truesdale then gave the line-up of clinician duties, and the doctors who have taken up these duties: Health Department Director and Pedi- Chest Clinic clinician: Dr. Board; Diagnostic Clinic - Dr. Dorothy Long; Jail Clinics - Dr. Mary Bublis; Plainview Independent School District Health Officer - Dr. T. Coe Branch; Health Officer for Wayland Baptist College - Dr. Larry Karrh; Petersburg Independent School District Health Officer - Dr. Hugh H. Wilson, Jr.; Sick children in Well Child Clinics - Dr. Gayle Seigler. Dr. Wagner had assumed all of these responsibilities. Mr. Law moved that the Board accept the offer of regional administra- tion under the direction of Dr. Board, for an indefinite period of time. The motion was seconded by Mr. Blair. Motion carried.. Mrs. Truesdale initiated discussion of the problem presented at Abernathy by the withdrawal of Health Department services. A contract was offered to the Abernathy school and city officials, which was tabled, with the comment by them that the Health Department staff would be forced to carry ontheschool immunization program. This has not been the case, however, as there is a school' healthofficer in Abernathy, (Dr. Gregory), who could give the i=munizationa, the immunizations are also available at the Plainview -Hale County Health Departmentoffice. Mrs. Truesdale then mentioned some other areas of service which could be a part of local Health Department services such as: vital statistics, mental hygeine, industrual hygeine, and dental hygeine services. Mrs. Truesdale reported also that there has been an increase in re- ported child abuse cases brought to the Health Department. She commented that there have been no personnel changes this month, and that there has been an increase in family planning budget. Dr. Baldwin asked if there was any other business to come before the - Board. Since there was none, Dr. Busby moved for adjournment. Mr. lair seconded. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned. Respectively submitted, Billie Jo ewsom,