Swain County residents must use the local hospital if it is to remain healthy, an official with WestCare Health Systems said last week.

Mark Leonard of WestCare Health Systems told those attending the Feb. 20 meeting of The Partnership for the Future of Bryson City/Swain County that the “vision of WestCare is to provide as much health care close to home as possible.”

WestCare merged with Swain County Hospital in February 1997. When Swain Hospital came to Harris Regional in 1996 and asked for assistance, the WestCare board committed $4 million to merger - over the objections of some at Harris. Leonard said that WestCare has been able to retire much of that debt, but recent changes in state health care regulations were putting increased pressure on the budget. Leonard said that he was there to petition for community help and support for the Swain County Hospital.

Jay Kirby, director of the Swain hospital, said that the merger had been great for the county. The hospital has made great strides in recruiting new doctors and new programs, Kirby said. Swain’s new MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) was the only permanent facility like it west of Asheville. He also noted that the new Hospital Hill Pharmacy had been growing steadily since it opened seven months ago.

Kirby also noted that Swain Hospital had received a score of 98 out of 100 on a recent independent accreditation process. All WestCare facilities had scored 90 or above, according to Kirby. The accreditation is crucial to obtaining and maintaining funding.

When asked about the possibility of services such as obstetrics and surgery becoming available at the Swain hospital, Leonard replied that it was a “volume” issue.

He said the hospital couldn’t afford the staff and equipment necessary for such services unless there was sufficient case load. He noted that while the hospital was licensed to accommodate 43 patients, only seven spaces were presently occupied.

Leonard said that no matter what the status of Swain County Hospital, there would always be referrals. The challenge for WestCare Health Systems is to determine what is the appropriate level of care for Swain County and provide it, he said.

Jason Walls reported to the group on the status of the new historical museum proposed for Swain County. The museum will be located in the old Swain County Courthouse. Walls said that two $8,200 grants had been secured for the project; one from the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina and one from the Friends of Mountain History.

Linda Cable, chair of the Partnership for the Future of Bryson City/Swain County, announced that the museum group asked to be recognized under the partnership umbrella. She said the inclusion into the partnership would aid the group in securing funding.

The members voted to include the museum group under the umbrella of the Partnership.

Glenda Callicutt reported that a 3-year 21st Century Grant had been secured to provide after school activities for middle school students.

In other business:
° David Monteith reported that the Fontana Lake Users Association had a clean-up scheduled for May 19.
° Larry Callicutt reported that Street Scape grant funds were available for improvements along Everette Street, including repairing the fountain on the square and refurbishing the sidewalks and building fronts. Street Scape funds are provided by the Town of Bryson City and the Department of Transportation on a 50-50 cost share.
° Swain County Partnership for Health reported receiving a $7,500 grant from the North Carolina Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Health to build a walking trail at Swain County recreational park.
° The Partnership for Health also received a $79,640, three-year grant from the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust to provide administrative and program support.

 

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The Smoky Mountain News