HCHD's Blueprint For the Future Gets Approval
The court will consider the 2015 Strategic Plan in phases


Harris County Commissioners on Jan. 13 approved phase I of the Hospital District's 2015 Strategic Plan.

“The court's approval gives us the go-ahead to put our plans into action,” said John A. Guest, President and CEO. “Now we can start adding specifics and make the blueprint come alive.”

Guest has been making public presentations of the plan since September. He has said that, along with new and upgraded facilities, HCHD will need to improve its existing resources.

“We need to make better use of our people and our facilities first,” he told commissioners during their meeting.

The first phase of the long-range plan to get HCHD to the year 2015 calls for expanding Ben Taub and LBJ hospitals. This would include constructing new outpatient and specialty clinics adjacent to the hospitals to help relieve overcrowding and provide focused care.

Existing facilities will see expansion and face-lifts before new sites begin. Some health centers are already undergoing re-design efforts.

“I support, applaud and approve the blueprint,” said Pct. 4 Commissioner Jerry Eversole.

He explained that it would be best to follow the plan and review it on a step-by-step basis to allow for proper planning and consideration.

While other considerations such as contracting services and patient satisfaction programs were given as suggested first steps, the plan will remain as proposed.

Pct. 3 Commissioner Steve Radack expressed deep concerns over HCHD patient satisfaction scores and said he would rather see improvements before giving the plan complete approval.

He recommended that HCHD take care of its overcrowding problem by contracting with other healthcare providers before building more space.

Radack was assured the plan called for appropriate solutions to HCHD problems.

The eleven-year plan calls for the expansion of HCHD services. A 200-bed hospital and nine health centers are among the plan's propositions.