Orange County NC Website
458 <br />Chairman Garrett inquired of the number of physicians working in <br />OrancE County. Dr. Fuller stated that there was one physician who <br />spent one day in Chapel Hill at the clinic, on physician who worked <br />two to three hours a day and Clinicians who worked under Dr. Hendricks <br />who worked about two hours a week. Dr. Fuller stated that he worked <br />much of the time himself. He stated that there were three doctor <br />positions, one which he fills himself, one position is vacant and one <br />is to be abolished to make room for a Health Administrator. He in- <br />formed the Hoard that an application had already been filed for the <br />position of Health Administrator. <br />In reply to Mrs. Garrett's question, Dr. Fuller stated that there <br />were seven nurses in the Orange County Offices. In relation to the <br />nursing staff, Dr. Fuller said that this staff could do more with <br />more nursing positions. His hope for the next year was to strengthen <br />the nursing program. <br />Commissioner Gustaveson referred to the Health Task Force Interim <br />Report which recommended that a co-director specializing in Health <br />Administration be hired to carry out duties of administration, plan- <br />ning and program development, allowing Dr. Fuller to continue in <br />his specialty of clinical physician. He spoke of the concern the <br />Health Department was to the public. He requested ways in which <br />the public could have a voice in what is going on and stated that he <br />hoped the Health Department could be activated this year. <br />Commissioner Walker informed the Board that Dr. Fuller had been <br />serving as Health Director on an Interim Basis and that last night <br />at the District Health Board Meeting, Dr. Fuller was appointed Dis- <br />trict Health Director. <br />Chairman Garrett spoke of the meeting of the District Health Board <br />and expressed a concern because there was no discussion about the <br />programs to be originated, the anticipated needs or the recently <br />adopted Ordinances which effect the Health Department. <br />She stated that she was concerned because the District Health Depart- <br />ment had not submitted a budget, but that this budget was prepared by <br />the staff. <br />The Commissioners stated their wish far the District Health Depart- <br />ment to become more involved with programs, particularly within the two <br />school units. <br />Chairman Garrett recognized Pat Walton and Dr. Rolfs Pinkerton of <br />the Orange-Person- Chatham Mental Health Agency. <br />Dr. Pinkerton presented to the Board a line item budget of the Men- <br />tal Health Center. <br />Ms. Walton stated that most of the Center's programs were under <br />State Contract and would not be affected by the Title XX cut. <br />In response to the question asked "How does this budget look in <br />comparison to previous years," Ms. Walton replied that she did not an- <br />ticipate a cut os services. She stated that the Center had recently <br />applied for two new federal grants and hopes to use one for consul- <br />tation/Educational programs. These grants need no match. The other <br />grant would provide planned funding for the next several years. She <br />stated that the Center is funded by 42 different funding sources, how- <br />ever, in order to maintain the same level of services, the County <br />could have to appropriate more each year. <br />Commissioner Gustaveson inquired of the area of need within the Men- <br />tal Health program and Ms. Walton replied that the one priority is out- <br />service patients. <br />Commissioner Gustaveson inquired of the Northside schedule. The <br />County Manager informed the Board that bids will go out in late August, <br />and if progress is made on schedule, the Mental Health Center should be <br />in the building by this time next year. <br />Commissioner Whitted stated that the Mental Health Board had approved <br />the budget which Ms. Walton and Dr. Pinkerton was submitting tonight. <br />The meeting was then adjourned. <br />