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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-24-1980 Board of Health MinutesPLAINVIEWHALE COUNMBOARD OF HEALTH MINUTES January 24, 1980 The Plainview -Hale County Board of Health met in regular session on January 24, 1980, at K -Bob's Steak House in Plainview, Texas. Those attending were: Dr. C.M. Baldwin, Dr. John P. Board, Jr., Mayor Bob Wayland, City Manager, John Hatchel, Dr. Hugh H. Wilson, Jr., Mrs. Iva Jean West, Mrs. Mary Lou Truesdale, Mr. Ray Blair, Mrs. Billie Jo Newsom, Mr. Oliver Harmel, Mr. Bud Law, and Dr. Richard E. Morgan. The meeting was called to order by the chairman, Dr. Baldwin. The minutes of the last meeting were approved as circulated and corrected. A motion was made by Mr. Law that the bills for October, November, and December be paid. The motion was seconded by Dr. Morgan. Motion carried. Dr. Baldwin read a copy of a letter which had been authorized at the last meeting of the Board., The letters have been sent to the Mayors of Hale Center, Abernathy, and Petersburg, regarding permitting and inspection of food establish- ments within the city limits of each town. The letter outlined three alternatives that the Board feels are more equitable than the present arrangement, and which would distribute the burden of the expenses incurred more evenly among those who are recieving services from the Plainview -Hale County Health District. Discussion followed. Mrs. Truesdale shared with the Board that she had recieved a call from the new city manager of Abernathy, who had asked her for an ex- planation of the letter, since he was not aware in any way of the surrounding circumstances. Mrs. Truesdale gave him, as best she could, the background and reasons foe the letter. Mr. Law asked what might be said to those who asked "what services are we in Hale Center getting that is not being paid for by Hale County?" Mrs. Truesdale explained by saying that, in addition to the environ- mental services mentioned in the letter that was just read, there is one Family Planning Clinic being held once each month in Hale Center by the Plainview - Hale County Health District, as well as Child Health, Chest, Immunizations, and Crippled Children's Services, which are being recieved by several Hale Center families. Dr. Baldwin asked for Dr. Board's report. Dr. Board began by citing some changes in personnel, and some reorganization at the State level. These changes, Dr. Board feels, will make for a more posicive and progressive concept in the general policies of the State Health Department. Dr. Board discussied the possible effect of a debate that is going on between the state legislature, the governor, the attorney general, the secretary of state, and the state -comptroller, regard- ing a reduction in personnel employed by the state, and regarding also, proposed cuts in some state contracts. Dr. Board says that it is not possible at the present time, to say exactly what repercussions, if any, this will have at the local level, but promised to keep the Health Board posted on any future develop- ments in this area. He then asked the members for their opinion on whether they would desire his participation as Acting Director of the local unit, in the "Congress of Local Health Officers". After brief discussion, Dr. Morgan suggested that the value of membership and participation in this organization, be ob- served through Dr. Orr, Director of Lubbock Health Department, who is an active member of the Congress. This may assist the Board by providing some basis for opinion. The Board concurred with Dr. Morgan's suggestion. MINUTES Page 2 Dr. Baldwin called for a report by Mrs. Truesdale. She presented for study by the Board, a copy of the current Nurse's Caseload Count. This report gives the nursing services rendered to Hale County by districts, dividing a portion of the county to each of three RN's on the staff of the local health unit. The report gives also, the number of families served as well as the number of individuals served in each district. Included in the district figure is the number of families and invididuals served in each of the towns_in the._ county. As Mrs. Truesdale pointed out, this report shows that these towns are not being ignored, but they are not recieving- on-site services, with the exception of the family planning clinic held each month at Hale Center. Mrs. Truesdale informed the Board about the addition of new staff member, Mrs. Lisa Stinson, LVN, who will function as Clinical Outreach Assistant, and asked the members of the Board for their assistance in locating an R.N. for the Family Planning postion. Dr. Wilson asked Mrs. Truesdale if the alleged decrease in general usage of birth control pills as a family planning method, was having any -,effect on number of individuals using this method in the family planning program of the local Health Department. Mrs. Truesdale responded by saying that, so far, it had not; but that there are a variety of other methods that are offered, and are in regular use by family planning participants. This perpetrated a general discussion of prenatal, perinatal, and family planning problems as related to the work of the Health Department -in this area of services,. Following discussion, Dr. Baldwin brought up for consideration, the pro- posed meeting dates for the Board in 1980. December's meeting date had been left open to suggestions from the members. It was suggested that the first Thursday, December 4th., be used. Dr. Morgan moved, and Dr. Wilson seconded, that the proposed list, including the suggested December date, be approved. Motion carried. The motion was then made by Dr. Wilon, Seconded by Mr. Blair that the meeting be adjourned. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned. Respectively submit Billie Jo Newsom, Recording Secretary, Plainview -Hale County Board of Health