FCH officials discuss jail services

After Southern Health Partners offered to provide medical services at the Jack County Jail during the Jack County Commissioner’s last meeting, Faith Community Hospital officials proposed a counteroffer during the county’s regular Monday, Dec. 13 meeting.

FCH Chief of Staff Dr. Robert Cooper said he is working on a proposal for working with sick inmates at the facility. While the proposal is still being worked on, it includes providing a nurse at the jail three to four hours each day and having video conferencing with a doctor or nurse practitioner when needed.

The proposal would also include access to a local mental health facility and continued use of a local pharmacy. Cooper said the hospital would assume all medical liability and transfer inmates to the hospital themselves when needed, eliminating the need for deputies to do it.

The proposal will be ready for discussion and possible approval at the commissioner’s Jan. 10 meeting.

According to Jack County Judge Keith Umphress, what makes the proposal even more intriguing, is having access to a mental health facility.

For the full story, see the Wednesday, Dec. 22 edition of the Jacksboro Herald-Gazette.