(Editor’s note: Stay tuned for an in-depth series of questions and answers for county and hospital management to be published Wednesday afternoon.)
WILMINGTON — County leaders are considering a plan to privatize New Hanover Regional Medical Center, selling the county-owned hospital and medical network to a “larger healthcare system.”
Related: What’s next for the $30 million dollar Wrightsville Avenue hospital facility?
According to New Hanover County, the Board of Commissioners will vote “on whether to explore new ownership for the region’s largest healthcare system,” at the September 3 meeting. Commissioners will consider a “resolution to explore new ownership opportunities for NHRMC.”
NHRMC is currently owned by New Hanover County and operated by a board of directors appointed by the Commissioners; however, the hospital board operates independently of the county and the non-profit which manages the system receives no tax dollars to support its operations (although much of NHRMC’s property is exempt from county property tax).
The decision to explore the sale of NHRMC to a private healthcare network is tied to “changes in the healthcare industry” that are “leading more health systems to explore creative solutions,” according to the county. The county will explore whether privatizing NHRMC would facilitate “adapting to changes in the industry while advancing health and wellness for area residents through increased investment in services and community initiatives.”
Why sell NHRMC?
NHRMC President and CEO John Gizdic said that the decision was not tied to any current issues.
“We’re clinically, financially and operationally strong today, but we recognize that to prepare for an uncertain future, we need to consider new ways to support investments in the people, technology and services that can make a significant difference in the health of our community,” Gizdic said.
“When we look to the future, we envision being part of a thriving community that is a model for health and wellness,” said John Gizdic, President and CEO of NHRMC. “We want to empower our staff and providers to provide exceptional care wherever it’s needed and work with our communities to minimize and eliminate some of the biggest threats to wellness. This is our mission and the vision that motivates us to explore every possible path toward achieving it.”
The decision on whether to consider new ownership comes as changes in the healthcare industry are leading more health systems to explore creative solutions. According to County Manager Chris Coudriet, the county remains committed to supporting NHRMC, regardless of whether the county retains ownership or transfers it to a new partner.
“We’re clinically, financially and operationally strong today, but we recognize that to prepare for an uncertain future, we need to consider new ways to support investments in the people, technology and services that can make a significant difference in the health of our community,” said Gizdic.
The county laid out several “key areas of focus” that commissioners and the county will use to evaluate bids from potential new owners if a majority of the board decides to solicit bids.
- Improving access to care and wellness through more consumer-centric options.
- Advancing the value of the care we provide through higher quality and lower costs, effectively managing the health of our region to not only treat the sick but keep them well.
- Achieving health equity through community partnerships and activities that remove barriers to care, enabling our residents to achieve their own optimal health.
- Supporting NHRMC staff and the culture that has made NHRMC one of the top places to work in the country.
- Partnering with providers to make southeastern North Carolina an excellent place to practice medicine so we can continue to attract talented and compassionate providers to care for our growing population.
- Driving quality care throughout the continuum and helping facilitate transitions with other providers to deliver more seamless and coordinated care models.
- Growing the level and scope of care already in place for all, regardless of ability to pay.
- Investing to ensure the long-term financial security and future of our health system.
If county leaders opt to post a request for proposals, “the selection of a new owner and execution of an agreement could take more than a year. Hospital system services, providers, and employees will continue daily operations without interruption while these discussions occur, and there will be no change in how residents access care,” according to the county.
Public forums
According to the county, leaders from NHRMC and New Hanover County “will host forums for the community to share their thoughts about what is most important to the future of health and wellness in the region. The comments shared will help set priorities and define the vision of what the community would like to achieve.”
Two forums will be held in Wilmington next month:
- Monday, August 19, 6 – 7:30 p.m. at the Northeast Regional Library, 1241 Military Cutoff Road
- Tuesday, August 20, 8:30 – 10:00 a.m. at the Senior Resource Center, 2222 South College Road
The community can stay informed throughout the process and find additional information at www.NHRMCfuture.org, a website created by New Hanover County and NHRMC.
