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MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH September 27, 2007 Board of Health Minutes Transcription completed by Anne Miles Cassell 3 September 27, 2007 November 13, 2007 from 5:30 to 7:30. Since the time will be limited it is usually good to limit the topics to one or two. This would enable the Board of Commissioners to consider items of mutual importance at their annual retreat. Some suggested topics of discussion the Board considered include: • Facility limitations for clinical services • Update of strategic plan progress • Community assessment priorities • Emerging technology needs. The Board of Health by consensus agreed to alter the regularly scheduled November 14th meeting and meet after the joint meeting with the Commissioners on November 13th moving the Board of Health meeting to the Whitted Health Department Conference Room and beginning at 7:30 PM. Rosemary Summers pointed out that we would have approximately one hour for discussion with Commissioners and therefore it is important to narrow it down to two topics. Jim Stefanadis asked her what she felt were the most important issues. She replied that the facilities issue is the most critical because lack of adequate facilities limits the Department’s ability to serve the healthcare needs of the Orange County community. This could be combined with both software and hardware technology issues. Another issue that came out of the Community Assessment was access to healthcare and the uninsured population. This also ties in with our community facilities. It would be good to use these top issues from the Community Assessment and relate them to what we do as a health department. Dr. Carey asked about the issue of consolidating facilities versus keeping dental and health clinics at both ends of the county. Because of access issues the Board chose to keep both sites operational but they need to be of sufficient size to meet the needs of the community. Ernie Dodson said that developers should be approached by the Commissioners to donate a space for facilities and that this has often been done. He said developers are generally agreeable to this. Dr. Summers commented that this was mostly recognized as donations for open space, green space, and schools. Board members felt that the need for clinic space was on a par with green space and schools. Dr. Carey asked what our message should be and said that he felt it would be best to keep the dental and health clinics together and that the planning process should begin within the next year, otherwise it would be the next decade before this is resolved. Dr. Summers commented that people want to come to one place for preventive and primary care as well as other healthcare and dental services. The Hillsborough clinics need the most work, as the site was not originally built for a healthcare or dental services. For example, the Hillsborough clinic does not have a negative pressure room to use for TB patients. The Department does have funds in Medicare cost settlement that could be used toward any project that may be approved for expansion. The last renovation was in 2000 and was mostly cosmetic. Sharon Van Horn and Jessica Lee agreed that the issue is important and should be talked about. The Board agreed