NORWICH – The Chenango County Department of Public Health is one step further in the process of transferring about 60 patients over to a private sector agency and shutting down its home healthcare nursing program.
Members of the Health & Human Services Committee voted unanimously on Tuesday to send a resolution to the Chenango County Board of Supervisors to consider finalizing the change when it meets again next month.
Town of Smithville Supervisor Allan I. Johnson made the motion after department Director Marcas Flindt reviewed the county’s options. Two weeks ago, all of the county’s supervisors were briefed on the pending decision, which could potentially save the county $200,000 in wages and benefits.
“You wouldn’t come to us without being forced to. You’ve made me believe that you’ve worked hard. You’ve seen inevitably that this is the way you have to go. You don’t like it, but you know you have to,” Johnson said.
“The writing is on the wall,” Nursing Services Director Marianne Kirsch said.
Flindt said he expected the department’s preventative nursing functions to grow stronger as a result. In addition, public health nurses would continue to make mandatory visits to mothers, babies and children.
Any closure plan would be subject to New York State Department of Health approval. The state would also become responsible for authorizing a private agency. Flindt said he has been in discussion with two potential agencies and with labor union managers who were focusing on the fate of the current nursing staff.
“There’s not going to be any nurses out of work,” Flindt assured the committee. The county’s home healthcare unit employs five nurses.
Town of Afton Supervisor Robert D. Briggs said he had reservations about the change, but wouldn’t vote against the motion. “What concerns me is that you’ll give up any and all control of this program. You’ll have nothing to say if the business goes bankrupt.”