By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The Ellis County Commission Monday night signed an agreement that would allow the hiring of a nurse practitioner at the Ellis County Health Department.
Commission chairperson Barbara Wasinger said the nurse practitioner will help fill health care needs for people who do not have a primary care physicians. She said during an interview Tuesday morning on the KAYS Morning Show she envisions the nurse practitioner doing screenings and then referring patients to doctors in the community when necessary.
“We are not a primary care facility,” Wasinger said Monday night. “We are a referral site, and we are trying to catch people who are falling through the cracks.”
Wasinger said the health department has seen a gap in women’s health, especially preventive care, such as PAP smears.
The health department will be able to offer school and sports physicals under the nurse practitioner. Wasinger said getting into a physician for these exams can be difficult and costly.
The agreement stipulates the health department’s nurse practitioner will be overseen by Dr. Lynn Fisher of First Care Clinic. Wasinger said she was pleased to see this type of collaboration happening in the community.
The cost for the nurse practitioner visits has not yet been set. However, Wasinger said the health department has never been a for-profit entity. The county is mainly trying to obtain some cost recovery for services. County administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes said grants may be available to offset some of the cost of the nurse practitioner’s services.
The contract with the nurse practitioner, Maren Moody, is set to start April 23, the first day the new health department office will be open at 2507 Canterbury.
Smith-Hanes said the renovation of the building is on schedule. A grand opening for the new building is set for May 10.
Wasinger also noted at the meeting Monday Ellis County is ranked the ninth county in the nation for health outcomes, a piece of information that was recently announced at county health assessment town hall.
The commission also approved the purchase of a Chevy Tahoe from Hays Chevrolet for the EMS Department at a cost of $39,954. The commission decided to accept an in-county bid over the low bidder from Great Bend. Commissioner Marcy McClelland said the move will keep tax dollars in Ellis County and the county will be able to service the vehicle locally. The difference in the two bids was $978, a 2.5 percent difference.
“These taxpayers dollars should be kept in Ellis County,” McClelland said.
Linda Beech, family consumer science extension agent, announced her retirement Monday night after 39 years as an extension agent. Her last day will be May 31, and a retirement reception will be from 4 to 6 p.m. May 18 in commission chambers.
The commission approved payment of the 2018 CIC Peopleware annual maintenance agreement in the amount of $60,710.
County counselor Bill Jeter announced Ellis County will have a tax lien sale and plans to make the sales annual from now on.