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Provider urges Mount Pleasant to create community health liaison to connect hospitals, nursing homes and veterans
Summary
Shalita Bratton, an independent primary care provider, told the council Mount Pleasant lacks a community health liaison and described how such a position could reduce ER visits, improve transitions of care, and connect veterans and homebound patients to services. Council members asked about budget timing and partnerships.
Shalita Bratton told the Mount Pleasant City Council the city does not have a community health liaison and outlined how such a position would connect hospitals, nursing homes, home-health agencies and city services to reduce unnecessary emergency-room use and improve care coordination for veterans and older residents.
Bratton, who said she practices at 2001 West Ferguson Road and conducts mobile medicine, described existing partnerships with TRMC and CHRISTUS and work with local nonprofits. "I am the only house calls provider in the city," she told council members, and said a liaison would help with communication between care providers and with state survey education in nursing homes.
Bratton detailed services she already provides, including home visits for patients with transportation barriers, veteran-focused home-health referrals and in-clinic education. She said a liaison could run monthly classes at the recreation center on chronic conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure and coordinate transitional care with hospitals to lower readmission rates.
Council members expressed support and asked whether the position had been discussed with the city manager and whether it could be included in the upcoming budget. Staff said the city manager had been aware of the concept and that budget timing would determine whether a dedicated city position could be funded; council members suggested discussing the proposal during budget deliberations or in executive session if necessary.
What happens next: Bratton invited council members to visit her clinic and said she would continue outreach to staff and veterans groups; council members said they would consult the city manager and consider the request during budget planning.
