By Dr. Steven Nourse
I attended the August 21 VHCD meeting and heard convincing testimony from Fire Chief Matthew Vinci; Brigitte Schran-Brown, Board of Commissioners Chair; Commissioner Jim Whitney; and other Islanders in support of utilizing the existing services of Vashon Island Fire & Rescue (VIFR) to provide urgent care on the Island.
The Fire Chief and the commissioners have performed many of the services discussed. Whereas the VHCD Commissioners have only listened to a slick presentation by the expensive contract provider, Dispatch Health. In my evaluation of the VHCD meeting, I came away with the following thoughts:
- Former VHCD Commissioner Eric Pryne stated, “The VIFR plan looks hastily prepared and light on specifics.” This was exactly what I thought when I heard the responses of the Dispatch Health administrators to questions posed by meeting participants. Essentially, it was a lot of maybes and don’t knows.
- Mr. Pryne also said, “The alternative from VIFR simply isn’t ready for prime time.” I disagree. In his short time as Fire Chief, Vinci has made some forward-thinking and very effective and decisive moves, including creating Mobile Integrated Health. I think he has earned the Island’s trust and deserves to be given a chance to prove the value of VIFR in providing urgent care services to Islanders.
- During VHCD meeting, there seemed to be a misunderstanding of what “urgent care” looks like and means. This needs to be given more airtime. A few weeks or a month more for negotiations would have provided Islanders with much-needed clarity. It is better to take time to do something right rather than do it quickly and have the results come back to haunt you.
- Commissioner Tom Langland stated that the VHCD tried to meet and work with VIFR. This was disputed by Chief Vinci. This was exacerbated by Mr. Pryne’s description of the VIFR plan as “preposterous.” Name-calling is not the way to start a collaborative effort.
- I felt the minds of the Board were made up long before this meeting; only one Commissioner dissented. That person stated exactly what I thought should happen – more time spent discussing the questions asked before making a final decision.
What I think needs to be done to show good faith to Islanders is to conduct a professional survey of what medical services are needed on the Island, and by whom Islanders want the service provided. Other questions I have asked the VHCD in writing are:
• What is the total cost of the Dispatch Health contract?
• Are there variables that could lead to Dispatch Health asking for more funding, if justified?
• When is the money paid (annually, monthly)?
• This project is set to be reviewed after 18 months; at that time would a determination be made to continue or discontinue the contract?
• Will urgent care services be provided as-needed or on an appointment-only basis?
• Will there be Dispatch Health staff on the Island for certain hours daily, seven days a week?
• Will Dispatch Health provide VHCD with monthly reports of services provided?
• Will Dispatch Health provide off-Island transport? If so how will VHCD be charged?
We are in a totally different time and space than we were when the VHCD was established. That should be acknowledged and respected. If money is being thrown around in the manner that VHCD is, why not spend some to make sure they are truly following the Island’s needs?
In conclusion, right now approximately an estimated $1.5 million dollars has been committed to Dispatch Health over two years. It is owed to Vashon-Maury Island citizens and taxpayers to fully determine, cautiously and carefully, if a comparable service can be provided at much less expense. Chief Vinci proposed that VIFR, an already existing Island infrastructure service, could provide an equal or greater service for a $350,000 annual budget. This would include an additional physician’s assistant seven days a week. I am willing to place my bet on RED, or VIFR!
