A Constitutional Republic, where the First Amendment is Essential to OUR Survival
"Code Blue" For Belhaven Hospital
Publisher's note: Betty Murphy is an often and valued contributor to BCN; however, this cogent piece was first published in the Compass News 360.
BELHAVEN Here it is Tuesday evening, Sept 24, and I am driving into the quiet little town of Belhaven located in one of the most rural areas of northeast Beaufort County.
As I pass the homemade signs posted along the sides of the road, on strategic traffic corners and taped in the windows of local businesses, their message is simple, clear and concise - "SAVE OUR HOSPITAL" - PUNGO DISTRICT HOSPITAL.
Vidant Health recently announced its intentions to close the critical access hospital within a few months and begin construction on a "24/7 multi-specialty care clinic" costing more than $4 million.
Belhaven residents were blindsided by Vidant's sudden and unexpected decision.
Vidant Health acquired Pungo Hospital in 2011 knowing full well the age of the building and its conditions - both financial and structural. During the negotiations, Vidant now says they told the hospital's local Board of Directors they planned to close the facility in a few years and only recently, decided to push the date up.
Somehow that significant tidbit of information was never shared with Belhaven residents.
So you might ask, why did Vidant purchase Pungo Hospital? Maybe they intended to use it as a write-off or to shelter income from one or more of their other hospitals.
This is a widespread, rural area where public transportation doesn't exist. Some patients walk to the hospital for care. Some hospital employees ride their bikes to work. A handful of doctors (just three) work medical miracles every day, even though they may not be specialists. As many would say - good, old fashioned country doctors.
That night in late September, over 400 people - black, white, elderly, young, well-off and poor from two counties - showed up at the Wilkerson Center to hear the fate of their beloved Pungo District Hospital.
In less than 45 minutes, security officers announced because of fire laws everyone had to be seated, and that no one could stand along the walls. So, almost 100 people were redirected into the halls and as the crowd continued to grow, about 50 people were told to go outside and stand.
Surveying the scene you could compare the security level to what would be expected at a rock concert. Vidant's company security car was roaming the streets.
The Beaufort County Sheriff deputies, local Belhaven police and plain-clothed security personnel monitored the exit doors. Whatever Vidant was concerned about didn't happen. The crowd was very respectful even though they were not happy with the responses to their questions.
Vidant had its own agenda, demonstrated when they distributed a prepared set of "Frequently asked questions regarding Vidant Pungo Hospital." In retrospect, at least Belhaven officials finally have something in writing.
Before the early September press release announcing Vidant's intention to close the hospital, there had been no communication among Vidant, Belhaven Mayor Adam O'Neal, local businessmen or residents of the affected area, which measures over 1,200 square miles.
Mayor Adam o'Neal speaks and listens during the public hearing with Vidant Health over Pungo District Hospital: Above and below. photos by Stan Deatherage Click on images to expand.
An answer to one of the 'frequently asked questions' said Vidant had met with the local officials and with an entity known as Pantego Creek LLC to "share information" but since the locals have no vote and no power, the decision to close the hospital was made by Vidant's governing Board of Directors.
The town's hospital has provided a safe haven for farmers, fishermen, crabbers, and other high-risk categories for many years. These professions present some dangerous accidents that are unique to this area. The doctors, nurses, and emergency management services in Belhaven can attest to that.
The people of Belhaven understand the important role Pungo District Hospital has played in saving numerous lives since it opened in 1947. This is not the first time the hospital's future has been threatened and the town rallied to save it. Not just because the locals needed it, but because this small rural hospital offers services for more than 25,000 people across two counties - Beaufort and Hyde.
This time is different. Two years ago, in what some labeled a 'two for one' deal, both Pungo District Hospital in Belhaven and Beaufort County Hospital in Washington were acquired by Vidant Health - known then and now, as an aggressive healthcare system.
Both hospitals were in financial straits - one caused by management problems and the other mostly due to the low-income status for many of its clientele.
The majority of comments from Dr. David Herman, the Vidant Health chief executive officer, were directly related to the bottom dollar.
"We can only do what we can afford to do," he stressed.
However, for those who observe recent construction and future addition plans for other Vidant Health hospitals, affordability doesn't seem to be a problem.
In the interim, while area residents wait for a new facility to be built - with no emergency services other than physicians' offices - patients who require more than a Band Aid must travel to either Beaufort County Hospital in Washington or to the Outer Banks Hospital in Nags Head.
If you have an accident in the middle of eastern Hyde County, it's a toss-up if you will bleed to death during the one-to-two hour trip (50-75 miles) to either hospital. Even helicopters have a hard time landing in the woods or swamp.
The current estimate for a new Vidant-owned facility in Belhaven is projected to be $4 million. So, just what kind of facility can you get these days for $4 million?
Vidant, which owns 60 percent of Outer Banks Hospital, just received a Certificate of Need to add one operating room there at a cost of exactly $4,246,095.
Here is the fine print on that planned expansion:
The applicant, Outer Banks Hospital, proposes to add one shared operating room to its existing surgical suite for a total of three shared operating rooms upon project completion. The applicant states that it will construct an addition to the existing surgical suite to accommodate the additional operating room and associated support functions. "To physically accommodate the additional operating room, OBH is proposing to add a new 5,165 square foot addition to the hospital".
Vidant Health, formerly known as University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina, has spent millions of dollars in publicity, signage, television ads, stationary, etc. to "re-brand" itself. Legally, though, the corporate entity remains University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina.
Millions spent to change a brand name, but not a dollar to save a much needed hospital.
Insiders say there is really no plan for the 24/7 facility. Details on facility size, classification, and services, are fuzzy, to say the least. No land has been purchased for the replacement site, leaving residents far from certain where it will be constructed, or even if it will be built.
Herman, the Vidant CEO, compared what the people of Belhaven were facing to a war zone battlefield. That is the reality Vidant is leaving for this community. Herman wouldn't dare tell his wealthy donors to "soldier-up".
Hospital services are being phased out over the next four to five months, and the hospital will be closed before construction of the new facility begins, which is "anticipated to be 18 months." But this time lapse doesn't appear to have any Vidant board members concerned. Even in wartime, battlefields provide emergency services in tents.
Vidant warns that "Any funds spent maintaining the current facility will not be available for investment in the new facility," which includes a helipad. Unlike the secrecy surrounding the events to date, the residents of Belhaven are entitled to know the construction costs of the facility, including the helipad.
The evening was filled with vague answers and lots of caveats. Only those supporters of Vidant Health who benefit in some way left the meeting the same way they came in. The rest of us didn't think much of the Dr. Herman's sales pitch.
Belhaven Mayor Adam O'Neal was the evening's last speaker. He summarized the emotions and concerns of the 400 souls scattered both inside the building and outside on the lawn:
Vidant did not reach out to the communities.
Vidant did what it wanted to do and ignored the tenets of common courtesy by not communicating with the communities and their local governments.
O'Neal ended his comments with a suggestion that Vidant Health work with local governments to try to bridge the gap and meet the minimum emergency room requirements, which include a blood bank and CT-scan.
Only time will tell if Vidant heeds the Mayor's excellent advice.
Go Back
BELHAVEN Here it is Tuesday evening, Sept 24, and I am driving into the quiet little town of Belhaven located in one of the most rural areas of northeast Beaufort County.
As I pass the homemade signs posted along the sides of the road, on strategic traffic corners and taped in the windows of local businesses, their message is simple, clear and concise - "SAVE OUR HOSPITAL" - PUNGO DISTRICT HOSPITAL.
Vidant Health recently announced its intentions to close the critical access hospital within a few months and begin construction on a "24/7 multi-specialty care clinic" costing more than $4 million.
Belhaven residents were blindsided by Vidant's sudden and unexpected decision.
Vidant Health acquired Pungo Hospital in 2011 knowing full well the age of the building and its conditions - both financial and structural. During the negotiations, Vidant now says they told the hospital's local Board of Directors they planned to close the facility in a few years and only recently, decided to push the date up.
Somehow that significant tidbit of information was never shared with Belhaven residents.
So you might ask, why did Vidant purchase Pungo Hospital? Maybe they intended to use it as a write-off or to shelter income from one or more of their other hospitals.
This is a widespread, rural area where public transportation doesn't exist. Some patients walk to the hospital for care. Some hospital employees ride their bikes to work. A handful of doctors (just three) work medical miracles every day, even though they may not be specialists. As many would say - good, old fashioned country doctors.
That night in late September, over 400 people - black, white, elderly, young, well-off and poor from two counties - showed up at the Wilkerson Center to hear the fate of their beloved Pungo District Hospital.
In less than 45 minutes, security officers announced because of fire laws everyone had to be seated, and that no one could stand along the walls. So, almost 100 people were redirected into the halls and as the crowd continued to grow, about 50 people were told to go outside and stand.
Surveying the scene you could compare the security level to what would be expected at a rock concert. Vidant's company security car was roaming the streets.
The Beaufort County Sheriff deputies, local Belhaven police and plain-clothed security personnel monitored the exit doors. Whatever Vidant was concerned about didn't happen. The crowd was very respectful even though they were not happy with the responses to their questions.
Vidant had its own agenda, demonstrated when they distributed a prepared set of "Frequently asked questions regarding Vidant Pungo Hospital." In retrospect, at least Belhaven officials finally have something in writing.
Before the early September press release announcing Vidant's intention to close the hospital, there had been no communication among Vidant, Belhaven Mayor Adam O'Neal, local businessmen or residents of the affected area, which measures over 1,200 square miles.
An answer to one of the 'frequently asked questions' said Vidant had met with the local officials and with an entity known as Pantego Creek LLC to "share information" but since the locals have no vote and no power, the decision to close the hospital was made by Vidant's governing Board of Directors.
The town's hospital has provided a safe haven for farmers, fishermen, crabbers, and other high-risk categories for many years. These professions present some dangerous accidents that are unique to this area. The doctors, nurses, and emergency management services in Belhaven can attest to that.
The people of Belhaven understand the important role Pungo District Hospital has played in saving numerous lives since it opened in 1947. This is not the first time the hospital's future has been threatened and the town rallied to save it. Not just because the locals needed it, but because this small rural hospital offers services for more than 25,000 people across two counties - Beaufort and Hyde.
This time is different. Two years ago, in what some labeled a 'two for one' deal, both Pungo District Hospital in Belhaven and Beaufort County Hospital in Washington were acquired by Vidant Health - known then and now, as an aggressive healthcare system.
Both hospitals were in financial straits - one caused by management problems and the other mostly due to the low-income status for many of its clientele.
The majority of comments from Dr. David Herman, the Vidant Health chief executive officer, were directly related to the bottom dollar.
"We can only do what we can afford to do," he stressed.
However, for those who observe recent construction and future addition plans for other Vidant Health hospitals, affordability doesn't seem to be a problem.
In the interim, while area residents wait for a new facility to be built - with no emergency services other than physicians' offices - patients who require more than a Band Aid must travel to either Beaufort County Hospital in Washington or to the Outer Banks Hospital in Nags Head.
If you have an accident in the middle of eastern Hyde County, it's a toss-up if you will bleed to death during the one-to-two hour trip (50-75 miles) to either hospital. Even helicopters have a hard time landing in the woods or swamp.
The current estimate for a new Vidant-owned facility in Belhaven is projected to be $4 million. So, just what kind of facility can you get these days for $4 million?
Vidant, which owns 60 percent of Outer Banks Hospital, just received a Certificate of Need to add one operating room there at a cost of exactly $4,246,095.
Here is the fine print on that planned expansion:
The applicant, Outer Banks Hospital, proposes to add one shared operating room to its existing surgical suite for a total of three shared operating rooms upon project completion. The applicant states that it will construct an addition to the existing surgical suite to accommodate the additional operating room and associated support functions. "To physically accommodate the additional operating room, OBH is proposing to add a new 5,165 square foot addition to the hospital".
Vidant Health, formerly known as University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina, has spent millions of dollars in publicity, signage, television ads, stationary, etc. to "re-brand" itself. Legally, though, the corporate entity remains University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina.
Millions spent to change a brand name, but not a dollar to save a much needed hospital.
Insiders say there is really no plan for the 24/7 facility. Details on facility size, classification, and services, are fuzzy, to say the least. No land has been purchased for the replacement site, leaving residents far from certain where it will be constructed, or even if it will be built.
Herman, the Vidant CEO, compared what the people of Belhaven were facing to a war zone battlefield. That is the reality Vidant is leaving for this community. Herman wouldn't dare tell his wealthy donors to "soldier-up".
Hospital services are being phased out over the next four to five months, and the hospital will be closed before construction of the new facility begins, which is "anticipated to be 18 months." But this time lapse doesn't appear to have any Vidant board members concerned. Even in wartime, battlefields provide emergency services in tents.
Vidant warns that "Any funds spent maintaining the current facility will not be available for investment in the new facility," which includes a helipad. Unlike the secrecy surrounding the events to date, the residents of Belhaven are entitled to know the construction costs of the facility, including the helipad.
The evening was filled with vague answers and lots of caveats. Only those supporters of Vidant Health who benefit in some way left the meeting the same way they came in. The rest of us didn't think much of the Dr. Herman's sales pitch.
Belhaven Mayor Adam O'Neal was the evening's last speaker. He summarized the emotions and concerns of the 400 souls scattered both inside the building and outside on the lawn:
Vidant did not reach out to the communities.
Vidant did what it wanted to do and ignored the tenets of common courtesy by not communicating with the communities and their local governments.
O'Neal ended his comments with a suggestion that Vidant Health work with local governments to try to bridge the gap and meet the minimum emergency room requirements, which include a blood bank and CT-scan.
Only time will tell if Vidant heeds the Mayor's excellent advice.
| Sheriff Alan Jordan is Still a Scalded Dog | Editorials, Well Considered, Op-Ed & Politics | Public education: Where does the money go? |
Home
Contact
About
Service Rates
Privacy Policy
Follow on Facebook
Subscribe to Newsletters
Rss Feed
Keywords
Eastern NC Now & ENC NOW © Copyright 1998-2024 All Rights Reserved.
