LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – City leaders and health care providers now have new point of view when working to increase accessibility of quality care for people across the region. The Community Health Center of Lubbock hosted its 33rd annual needs assessment today.
More than 100 caregivers, specialists, and experts in pediatrics, behavioral health, adult care, dental services, and special populations participated in the comprehensive review of community health services.
“Health and well-being touches everybody’s life,” Mayor Mark McBrayer said. “It’s one of the things that’s uppermost in a lot of people’s minds.”
Michael Sullivan, CEO of the Community Health Center of Lubbock, said the assessment reveals recurring issues year after year.
“Consistently over the years there’s certainly a need for primary care, a need for behavioral health care, a need for transportation, a need for assistance for people who are uninsured, and a need for dental care,” Sullivan said.
Lubbock leaders, caregivers assess needs in Hub City healthcare(KCBD)
Public servants from dozens of organizations contributed to the assessment including hospital leaders and school district officials. Lubbock ISD Superintendent Kathy Rollo emphasized the importance of collaboration in serving the community’s next generation.
“It’s really a matter of these agencies and organizations having more collaboration and so this was very powerful today,” Rollo said.
Caregivers divided into six groups to discuss services across different health and human services sectors. Rollo participated in the behavioral health group, which highlighted needs for education, training and new facilities while emphasizing fundamental support.
“Having ways to help make sure people’s basic needs are fulfilled because behavioral health is often a factor of not having your basic needs met,” Rollo said.
McBrayer opened the session by stressing the importance of progress and partnership when focusing on accessible healthcare access.
“How well are we serving that? What can we do to do a better job at that? We look at it as a ‘public health’ commitment,” McBrayer said.
The Lubbock Public Health Department will compile the findings from today’s assessment and present a comprehensive report to the city council for review.
“They’ll come to us with some needs, assessments that come out of this. Things we might need to do, we’ll discuss it as a council,” McBrayer said. “We always have to discuss that within the realm of two different things cost – what we have the money to do – and whether it’s an appropriate thing for the city to be doing, or is it better left to the private area.”
Despite ongoing challenges, healthcare providers and city leaders remain confident as the community continues showing progress toward building a healthier future.
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