The Washington County Hospital Board met last night and spent nearly a half hour listening and interacting with the Concerned Supporters of Washington County Hospital, of which there were approximately 45 in attendance.  There were 5 speakers with prepared statements, which were given to the Board.  Charles Braly was the representative of the group, but 4 others also spoke.  One issue dealt with Elaine Brammeier, who had been fired.  The complaint is that the hospital is trying to keep her from getting her unemployment and they want the hospital to stop this procedure.  Another issue is that they are requesting a special committee be established between the 2 groups to implement a new survey.  During the regular meeting, President and Chief Executive Officer Nancy Newby informed the Board that the annual employee survey would take place in October and it would be administered and evaluated by an outside agency, then the hospital would get the results.  A third issue dealt with the hospital’s lack of feedback and interaction with the CSWCH, and again restated the desire to have another joint committee.  A fourth issue deals with what the Board does in closed sessions, as well as denied Freedom of Information Act requests.  CSWCH has gone to a counselor in the Attorney General’s office and is checking the validity of these denials.  Board President J.W. Metcalf replied that there is confidential information that anyone not approved by the Washington County Board is not allowed to see or hear about.  This is by federal law covering privacy, not a hospital regulation.  He reported that there are currently 2 positions available on the WCH Board and all someone needs to do is to go to the County Clerk’s Office to find out how to get on it.  Another request was for a 3^rd special committee between the groups to handle patient and employee complaints.  The CSWCH provided a sample of Pinckneyville Community Hospital’s procedures.  Braly was asked if group members were going around to other hospitals and discussing these issues with them, and he said some members were going around gathering information.  The Concerned Supporters of Washington County Hospital want to be involved in certain aspects of the hospital board, have 2-way communication and get timely replies to their requests, but say the hospital has not complied with any of these requests.