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Fiscal court creates position for full-time nurse at jail Melodie Phelps News Editor Fiscal court agreed to create a position for a full-time nurse at the Wayne County Detention Center, following a special meeting on Thursday, August 25. The meeting was called so the court could get more information about Southern Health Partners, a company that has been providing medical services to jails throughout several states in the south. The Wayne County Detention Center was notified recently that jails with 100 to 300 inmates are mandated to provide on-site medical treatment. Wes Williamson, with Southern Health Partners, provided specific information to the fiscal court regarding a contract proposal. The Chattanooga based company said that it would provide this on-site medical coverage to the county for $214,500 annually. This would include a nurse at the detention center 40 hours per week. The nurse would also be available for emergency situations 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The proposal also included the cost of medications, as well as outside medical care up to $50,000 annually. The proposal was based on an average daily population of 180 inmates. The costs of a full-time nurse would be $41,600 annually, not including benefits, according to Wayne County Jailer Ray Upchurch. The jail will also contract with a local doctor, who the on-site nurse can consult with, for $400 per month. The county budgets approximately $140,000 annually for medical expenses at the jail. Last year, the county spent $122,039 for medical expenses at the jail. After hearing the proposal from Williamson, District Three Magistrate Ricky Worley made a motion that the county create the full-time nursešs position for the jail. Worley recommended the county try this option and see how it works before committing to a contract with another company. District Two Magistrate Jess Jones seconded the motion. Jones, Worley and County Judge-Executive Bruce Ramsey voted in favor of creating the position. Magistrates Jerry Sloan and Wade Upchurch were not present at the meeting. Jailer Ray Upchurch stated that he feels hiring a nurse to be at the Detention Center will save the county money in the long run. "I think over a period of time this will save a lot of money for the county," he said. Add a comment |
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