Minutes 03-04-2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Commissioner Pelissier agreed that they need to understand where the clientele is coming from. She said that it is an assumption that the population is in Chapel Hill but the ones with the most poverty are out in the County. She said that it may be good to look at other health users and whether they need a one-stop shop with the human services. Commissioner Yuhasz said that there is an apparent greater need in the Hillsborough area. He said that he does not think that a consolidation in Hillsborough now should be read as an abandonment of the two-service model. The County does not have any funds to build a new facility but it could expand the current dental clinic at the Whitted Center site for the short-term. He suggested consolidating it for the short-term and seeing how efficient it is and looking at how to provide transportation to Hillsborough for those living in Carrboro and Chapel Hill. Chair Foushee said that it would seem that it is the County's responsibility to ensure that the situation does not deteriorate. Her fear is that if they do not seriously look at how to be more efficient, then the current situation will worsen. Tony Whitaker said that he was shocked to learn the amount of money they were paying for rent for the Carrboro dental clinic and it is not even used three days of the week. Frank Clifton said that he met with the President of Durham Tech recently and he brought up this subject about possibly partnering and having a joint-use facility with the community college and health clinic facilities. The idea was floated for future reference and the response was positive. He said that if UNC Hospital sites at Waterstone, this could really be a partnership. Commissioner Gordon reiterated that they need to consider access for the people in Chapel Hill and Carrboro because 2/3 of the population is there and they pay 2/3 of the taxes. She said that you cannot just consolidate in one area without thinking of the other areas. Commissioner Hemminger verified that the lease at Carr Mill Mall is up in October 2011 and they will need to pay out if they leave early. Rosemary Summers said that they could vacate earlier if there was a sublease. Commissioner Hemminger asked when a decision had to be made. Frank Clifton said that staff is doing an analysis of where the clientele is and this may help to determine the other variables such as transportation. He said that he would not let the lease be the determination and he would go ahead and make the move if the County Commissioners agreed. Commissioner Jacobs asked about the inadequacy of engagement of the dental school and if the County has recently approached the dental school. Dr. Paul Chelminski said that the Health Department cannot internally make referrals within UNC for dental patients with serious issues because they have to have cash to be seen. He said that it is not part of the stated mission of the dental school to be a safety net provider. Rosemary Summers said that they did ask the dental school directly about partnering with the County for services. There have also been discussions with Piedmont Health about this. The dental school said that it would be glad to provide the services, but it would charge on a dollar for dollar basis. This would be more expensive than how the Health Department currently operates. Piedmont is considering this as an option, but it is still in discussion. Chris Harlan said that she heard that Piedmont Health is only accepting patients with insurance. This will have a huge impact on the safety net issue. As far as analysis, she said that they need to look in the community and identify people who need dental services but are not seeking them. Anissa Vines said that the Board of Health selected two issues to discuss this evening, but there are other needs. She said that they need to think short-term and long-term and efficiencies. This is a very complex issue. She said that they do have a sense of urgency to be responsive to the residents of Orange County as it relates to dental care and public health.