Ringgold County Public Health was formed in 1972 thanks to a three-year federal grant and a portion of county funding. The agency has served many citizens in need of a variety of health concerns, but has been well known for home health care.
In recent months, the agency has been unable to recruit/retain needed registered nursing staff and faced adversity of additional duties related to COVID-19 response. On November 17, 2020, the Ringgold County Board of Health made the very difficult decision to voluntarily terminate participation in the Medicare program. This means that the agency will not provide skilled nursing, physical therapy, or home health aide services after 2/28/2021. Clients currently receiving services will be referred to other certified agencies that serve Ringgold County. Homemaker program services will continue to be offered.
“This is not a choice we wanted to make,” states Nurse Administrator Becky Fletchall, “but without adequate staffing we are left with no other option.” Continued services being provided by the agency will include immunization, maternal/child health, child developmental screening/education through Start-2-Soar, mental health coordination, community education/coordination/emergency response activities, and homemaker services.