HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-16-1998 Board of Health MinutesBOARD OF HEALTH MEETING
JULY 16, 1998
The regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Directors
of the Plainview -Hale County Health Department was held
Thursday, July 16, 1998, at Plainview Country Club. The
Meeting began at approximately 12:30 P.M.
Those attending were: Dr. Kit Linton, John Castro, Cynthia
Palmer, R.N., Sally Meeks, R.N., Margaret Kay, Larry
Dickerson, Mike Hutcherson, Benny Cantwell, Earle Mc Don-
ough, Dr. Ron Miller, Medical Authority Dr. Stephen Turner
and the secretary, Billie Standefer.
There was no quorum; however Board Chairman Kit Linton
called the meeting to order for reports and discussions.
Dr. Turner began his report by stating the past two months
had been his busiest since he had been associated with the
Health Department. For the first time, he said, an
active case of Whooping Cough had been reported. He ex-
plained the two month old baby had not had its shots, and
had exposed as many as 39 people at its church.
Dr. Turner stated, even though an individual has been
immunized against and exposed to Whooping Cough, they can
still get it. He said quite a few of .his patients were
taking antibiotics because they had been exposed.
He said there had been an outbreak of Shigellosis, traced
to food brought to end -of -school parties.
Dr. Turner commended Cynthia Palmer for doing a fine job
at the Department, and then complimented Jack Mc Casland,
Environmental Health Inspector, for his diligence and
resourcefulness in dealing with the public and doing his
job well.
Mr. Castro explained he had been appointed as alternate
to Doug Goodman of Lubbock as representative of Region I
in the newly formed Local Health Officials organization
that was formed so local health departments would have
a "say so" in the Legislature. He said letters had been
sent to city officials of surrounding counties to get
their thoughts on becoming a District, but had
responses from only Kress and Floydada. He stated this
was only a fair response, and unless it was workable
and profitable for Plainview and Hale County it should
be looked at more clearly.
Dr. Turner asked if adding other communities could be
handled fee -wise as Petersburg, Hale Center and Abernathy,
with Contracts.
Mr. Castro said even contracting would not compensate for
all the services the Department would be responsible for.
Two of the concerns he mentioned were transportation for
the Environmental Health Inspector and the insurance
liability for this arrangement.
Dr. Turner said people he had talked to in Briscoe County
(Restaurant owners) would like to have inspection services
there. He recommended continuing "the attempt to establish
services in other counties. He stated establishing Hale
County and Plainview as the "hub" of activity (medical)
would be good for the community, bringing families here
to get immunizations and shop for groceries and clothing.
(He said this would serve as indirect benefits.)
Mr. Castro said when funding amounts are available, the
proposal would be looked at more closely.
There was a discussion of teen pregnancies and the
reported. Texas statistics.
Mr. Castro explained the need for another Board member,
and said, according to specific State regulations, the
new member should be a physician. He said the Board now
has one dentist and one physician, but regulations call
for one dentist and three physicians. He said the new
member would be a City/County appointee. He mentioned
placing a physician in the place of Board members whose
terms expire in 1999, if that was possible.
Dr. Turner said, "There are so few people who are will-
ing to donate their time, if we have a Board member who
is willing to continue, I'd be reluctant to see that
Board member vacate that spot."'
Mr. Castro explained the State is "very specific" in its
ruling that the Health Board have three physicians and
one dentist as voting members. He stated he did not see
a way to deviate from that.
Dr. Linton stated the State's ruling was set for large
cities that have 15 to 20 members.
Mr. Castro said he had one application from a physician,
and could get City Attorney Wally Hatch to check with the
State to see if the present membership roster would
satisfy their regulation.
Dr. Turner stated with two physicians as voting members
and a physician as ex -officio the State would not come
up with sanctions. He asked Mr. Castro to provide a
copy of the State's ruling on composition of Board
members.
Mr. Castro said the original organizational charter called
for the same composition for required Board members.
Mr. Castro stated he had received the Contracts from
Texas Department of Health for 1998-1999, and said they
were about the same as the current contracts
Dr. Linton asked if there was any new business, and
Board members again discussed statistics for cancer
and teen pregnancies.
It was decided to have the Board meet in August to
vote on expenditures and get informational materials
on teen pregnancies for the schools.
There was no other business. Chairman Linton adjourned
the meeting.
lie Standefer
Secretary