Task force wants community oversight of hospital

HELENA — A volunteer task force looking into ways to improve health care as well as relations between St. Peter's Hospital and the local community is calling for increased community oversight of the hospital.

The Task Force on Local Access to Universal Health Care recommends that the City-County Board of Health begin a dialogue with the hospital in Helena. The board appointed the task force in 2008.

County Health Officer Melanie Reynolds says the board will look at the recommendations in an upcoming work session before making any decisions.

The Independent Record in a story published Sunday reported that the task force is also recommending the board conduct a discussion with local health care providers aimed at bringing in and retaining primary care physicians.