Changes Proposed for Health Agency

The Ventura County Health Care Agency would be reorganized to improve efficiency and reduce costs under a proposal being considered by the Board of Supervisors.

Under the current structure, several department managers report directly to Director Pierre Durand.

Under the proposed structure, only six top administrators would report to the director, Durand said.

They would be given broader responsibilities to streamline operations and strengthen accountability, he said.

The reorganization proposal calls for appointing Dr. Samuel Edwards, medical director of the Ventura County Medical Center, as hospital administrator.

Edwards’ old position would be filled by Dr. Richard Ashby, who will continue his current job as director of quality assurance.

The move would result in the elimination of one full-time position, saving the county about $165,000 a year in administrative costs, Durand said.

In addition to filling the vacant position of hospital administrator, Durand hopes to create an administrative post to oversee outpatient services, which have grown considerably.

County supervisors will consider the reorganization at Tuesday’s meeting.