I find it very sad that we are losing Dr Tom Socash to another area and that Dr Mark Webster is nearing his well deserved retirement.
Both have provided excellent medical care to our residents and visitors for many years.
They will be greatly missed.
As a Paramedic with 50 years prehospital care experience with Old Forge Ambulance, past town board member of 20 years and a past Town of Webb Health Center Fund president, I would like to offer some of my concerns about the proposed takeover of the Town of Webb Health Center by St. Elizabeth Hospital.
St. Elizabeth Hospital is an excellent medical provider and has provided excellent care to me and my family members.
I recently attended the informational meeting about the proposed takeover of the Town of Webb Health Center by St. Elizabeth’s Hospital and came away with the following concerns:
1. THE LACK OF WEEKEND MEDICAL COVERAGE.The proposed hours of operation are 9AM to 5PM Monday-Friday and closed on Saturday and Sunday.
This is not acceptable in the June through October busy season when we have thirty to forty thousand people at one time visiting our area. People do have medical problems at times other than Monday-through-Fridays.
The Town Board, when reviewing the proposed contract, should require that weekend hours be put in writing in the contract.
This is a proposed 15 year contract and as a businessman, I know that once a contract is signed, it is almost impossible to change the terms of a contract.
The board should have a medical professional, who is skilled in medical contracts, review the proposed contract on the town’s behalf, before it is entering into a fifteen year contract.
Any contract must be beneficial to both parties to have it work without future problems.
2. THE ANTICIPATED INCREASED CALL VOLUME THAT WILL BE PLACED ON OUR AREA VOLUNTEER AMBULANCE SERVICES DUE TO THE LACK OF OTHER MEDICAL CARE AVAILABILITY.
When visitors do not know where to find medical care they call 911 and an ambulance is dispatched. The ambulances are manned by volunteers and are at this time stretched to provide service for true medical emergencies. We now get calls for minor cuts, fevers, bug bites and all manner of minor medical problems that could be seen at the Health Center.
We strive to attract residents, both seasonal and year round, as well as visitors to our area. With the nearest hospitals over fifty miles away, it is important that medical treatment is available, as we have had for over the last century.
This is a true quality of life issue that the Town Board has the responsibiliy to guarantee for our residents and visitors. This is the greatest charge that the current Town Board will have.
If done properly, with advice and counsel of medical and legal professionals, this could be an opportunity for the Town of Webb.
Sincerely,
Dan Rivet Jr, Paramedic, Old Forge Ambulance
