HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 1959.02.24 - 19071tULUTIQN February 24,
BY Mr, Fred \AL Smith
IN RE: USE OF CONTAGIOUS HOSPITAL BUILDING
TO: THE OAKLAND COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen:
WHEREAS, your Special Committee appointed to study possible uses of the former
County Contagious Hospital on October 13, 19, advised members of the Board as to
possible uses of said building, and
WHEREAS, your Committee considered a proposal made by a local hospital to lease
the facility for a period of 5 years with a provision for an additional 5 years, which offer,
while being very attractive from a financial standpoint, would, in the opinion of the
Committee, not be in the best interests of the County since it would tie up this facility for
too long a period of time, and
WHEREAS, your Committee also received a proposal from a non-profit organization
interested in operating the hospital for treatment of polio and allied diseases, which offer
included staffing and facilities at the hospital for treatment of contagious diseases and
emergency hospitalization and treatment of a limited number of mentally ill patients, and
WHEREAS, your Committee being of the opinion that the aforementioned arrangement
would provide the best use of this facility but has been unable to date to work out the details
and is continuing negotiations with this non-profit organization in the hope that necessary
finances may be rrai d for it to carry out its proposed program, and
WHEREAS, a number of resolutions adopted by several of the local units in the
County along with the request of Probate Judge Arthur E. Moore to use this facility for
diagnosis and treatment of the mentally ill have been referred to and considered carefully by
your Special Committee, and
WHEREAS, your Committee recognizes the need for additional facilities for the
care of mentally ill and commends Judge Moore, the Oakland County Mental Health Societ y
and the various interested local units and groups for their concern clod interest which has
pointed out the inadequacy of facilities furnished by the State, and
WHEREAS, your Committee, after very careful consideration of the matter, finds
that it cannot conscientiously recommend that the entire building be used solely for that
one purpose since the operation of publicly supported hospitals for the diagnosis and treatment
of the mentally ill is solely the responsibility of the State government which has within its
governmental framework a well-organized Mental Health Commission and staff to cope
with the problems of carrying out a well-rounded program in this area, and
WHEREAS, such services as rendered by a branch of local government would only
tend to cause duplication of effort and relieve the State of its responsibilities to its citizens,
and
WHEREAS, in consultation with representatives of the State, your Committee has
learned that any facility providing treatment for the mentally ill should be operated in
connection with a general hospital in order that proper treatment would be available to
mental patients should they develop physical ills which may require special care, and
WHEREAS, your Special Committee from information submitted to it finds that the
cost of operating a facility for the exclusive treatment of the mentally ill, which is a very
specialized operation, would be very high and the matter of -financing its operations must
be carefully considered due to the financial situation in the County;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED as follows:
1 That the use of the entire facility of the former Contagious Hospital far the
exclusive treatment and hospitalization of mentally ill patients be not considered.
2. That the members of the State Legislature representing Oakland County be
urged to seek additional legislative appropriations which will provide responsible State
agencies with sufficient funds to carry out the responsibility which the State has to provide
adequate diagnostic and treatment facilities and services for the mentally ill of Oakland
County.
V. Smith, Chair a? Fred
Eimer Kephart
Luther Fieacock
3. That the Legislative Committee of the Board be instructed to study this
matter more fully and promote a program which will secure whatever necessary changes
are needed in existing State laws to provide additional facilities at the State level for
the mentally ill.
4. That certified copies of this resolution be forwarded to each of the State
Legislators representing Oakland County, to Honorable Probate Judge Arthur E. Moore,
and to each of the local units and organizations w Hiich have furnished this Board with
resolutions relative to the care of mentally ill persons.
MR. CHAIRMAN, on behalf of the Special Committee to Study Future Use of the
Contagious Hospital Bui lding, I move the adoption of the foregoing resolution.
SPECIAL COMMITTEE TO STUDY FUTURE. USE OF CONTAGIOUS HOSPITAL