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Published on 08/04/1999 All articles from this issue

Physicians question hospital's closed talks

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By Leslie K. Martin

Special to the Town Crier

Physicians left a closed session meeting of the El Camino Hospital District Board wondering about everything from discussion of trade secrets to the state of the budget. The July 27 session lasted more than three hours.

Dr. Dominick Curatola summarized the closed session by saying, "There is nothing to report, no decisions were made."

When the open session began afterward at 10:20 p.m., only five physicians remained in the audience. Drs. Len Doberne and Ronald Hoffman called the board meetings secretive and requested public access and input to board discussions. They also asked for more informative printed agendas and meeting minutes, as well as changes in the open sessions' format to encourage public participation.

District board members Mark O'Connor and Dr. Paul Hoar iterated that nothing of substance had taken place behind closed doors, and that the closed session had provided space for broad philosophical discussion and debate.

Referring to the Health and Safety Code on Health Care Facility Trade Secrets, Hoar reminded the audience of the legal necessity for discussing trade secrets behind closed doors during the formulation of new programs.

"But once the decisions are made, they're then subject to public approval," Hoar said.

Curatola added, "The closed session allows board members with differences of opinion to air their views, and to discuss our opinions."

The board will present the budget for public discussion in September's open session.