Big plans in store for Trigg

The acting administrator of Dan C. Trigg Memorial Hospital outlined future services planned for the facility during Monday’s regular Quay County Commission meeting.

“Rural hospitals are very near and dear to my heart,” said Troy Clark, vice president of Presbyterian Healthcare Services.

Clark, who oversees all of the PHS facilities outside of Albuquerque, has been acting administrator since September for Trigg and Plains Regional Medical Center in Clovis. Presbyterian is close to hiring a full-time administrator for Trigg, Clark added.

“Trigg has had several departments including the radiology and Home Health receive recognition for their quality of service,” Clark said. “I like to focus on providing the best quality care.”

Clark said currently Presbyterian is working on bringing the services of two orthopedic surgeons to Trigg. He said the both physicians would hold office hours at Trigg one day a month.

“This would allow residents to see a specialist locally,” Clark said. “However, if surgery is needed they would have to travel to Clovis or Albuquerque.”

Clark said discussion has also begun with a cardiologist who would be at Trigg two or three times a month.

“I want to thank you for the new services you are bringing to the county,” said Sue Dowell, District 1 Commissioner.

Dowell said having these services available locally will benefit the residents. She said one service she would like to see brought to the county is an Obstetrics and Gynecology .

“I have spoken about the need, importance of bringing this kind of services to our area for several years,” Dowell said. “Our residents have the burden of having to travel out of town for care including prenatal screenings.”

Clark was at the meeting to requested an amendment to the lease agreement between the county and Presbyterian. He said an oversight resulted in a late submission for Presbyterian to exercise 10-year extension on the lease of the hospital.

“While I understand and appreciate the services the hospital provides, I’d like to review the lease before the amendment is made,” said Mike Cherry, District 2 Commissioner.

Cherry said as a commissioner, he has not reviewed the current lease. He said as commissioners, it is their due diligence to the taxpayers to review the lease. There is time for the commission to review the lease before the extension has to be made, Cherry added.

“The residents contribute a large portion of the operational funds for the hospital through a special tax,” Cherry said.

Dowell said any changes to the lease could be made at a different time by the commission. She said there should be no problem with approving the amendment to allow Presbyterian to exercise the 10-year extension at the end of the lease.

“The hospital is such an important component to our community,” Dowell said.

The amendment to the lease was approved 2-1, with Dowell and Chair Franklin McCasland voting for and Cherry voting against.

Other items before the commission

• Quay County Finance Director Cheryl Simpson requested the approval of Resolutions 22, 23 and 24 to amend budget items. Resolution changed roads funds to reflect match and grant funds. Resolution 23 closed out the Victor Breen Memorial Fund. Resolution 24 transfers money from the general fund to the DWI funds until the grant funds are received. The commission approved all three resolutions.

• Quay County Manager Richard Primrose requested the approval of two recently reviewed and amended county policies. The commission tabled the county’s drug free policy until changes could be made. The commission approved the computer policy.

• An executive session was held for threatened and pending litigation. No action was taken.