Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1974 Version B [PAGE 344]

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336

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

[July 18

beds needed in the Medical Center District. These questions, as well as others, have been answered. The University of Illinois Hospital is in a state of crisis which threatens its educational mission, patient care capabilities and public image. In view of the urgency of the need to replace the deteriorated and obsolete University of Illinois Hospital and in the light of the June 15, 1973, recommendations of the Task Force, the Chancellor at the Medical Center campus with the concurrence of appropriate campus administrative officers recommends: 1. That the Board of Trustees receive the June IS, 1973, recommendations of the Task Force for Health Care Planning (Attachment A) ; 2. That because of the urgency of the needs for replacement of obsolete facilities at the University of Illinois Hospital and because of the complexities and uncertainties involved in a possible merger of funding and management resources with Cook County Hospital that such merger of funding and management resources is not feasible; and 3. That accordingly, the University of Illinois at the Medical Center continue its current planning for a replacement facility for the University of Illinois Hospital in keeping with recommendation number six of the Task Force report as part of the University's FY 1974-75 Capital Budget request. The Vice President for Planning and Allocation concurs. I recommend approval. O n motion of Mr. Swain, these recommendations were approved. Attachment A West Side Health Task Force Recommendations June 15, 1973 1. Current and future planning by the Health and Hospitals Governing Commission and the University of Illinois for health care facilities on the West Side of Chicago should be coordinated between the two institutions and with the activities of the West Side Health Planning Organization. 2. The West Side Health Planning Organization will proceed, as rapidly as possible, with the planning of a comprehensive health services system for the West Side of Chicago, aided by the Task Force and the staffs of the Health and Hospitals Governing Commission, the University of Illinois, and other concerned agencies, institutions, and the public. 3. The Health and Hospitals Governing Commission should proceed, without delay, in planning for the provision of comprehensive health services in other areas away from the West Side Medical Center, such as the Mid South and the Far South areas of the County. This planning should proceed in conjunction with the various appropriate planning agencies. The goal of these activities is to bring health care closer to the homes of the patients. 4. It is recommended that the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois and the Health and Hospitals Governing Commission of Cook County (Cook County Hospital) combine their resources to replace obsolete health facilities as a joint venture as soon as possible. Maximum flexibility with options for alternative courses of action in the future would be the objective. 5. As a first priority, it is recommended that new hospital and other health facilities be constructed to meet the commitments of both the University of Illinois and the Health and Hospitals Governing Commission in the West Side Medical Center and other areas. On the basis of present data, it is estimated that approximately 1,100 hospital beds are needed for these purposes, but studies leading to a refinement of this figure should continue. This alternative envisions a merger of funding and management resources with either a single new inpatient facility or smaller units on separate sites. 6. If the proposals in paragraphs 4 and 5 are not feasible, it is recommended that both institutions proceed immediately with planning together, and with the West Side Health Planning Organization, for construction of separate facilities to be operated by the separate organizations. Such separate facilities should not result in duplicate or overlapping health services. 7. The West Side Health Planning Organization will continue to study the needs