Lafayette (La.) General Medical Center is making a number of changes to tighten its budget and position the hospital for continued financial success, according to a KATC report.
Here are seven things to know about the changes.
1. LGMC will discontinue its free valet parking service, effective Nov. 18. Free valet parking was originally intended to only be used during the hospital's construction period, according to hospital officials.
2. By eliminating the hospital's valet contract, the organization will be able to reallocate approximately $2 million dollars over the next four years, LGMC CEO Patrick Gandy said in a statement.
3. LGMC looked into the possibility of keeping its valet service, charging for the amenity, according to LGMC. However, "After reviewing the numbers, we were not comfortable charging our patients and guests for valet parking," Mr. Gandy said.
4. Although free valet parking is ending, patients still may park in the hospital's new six-level parking garage, or across the street from the hospital in the six-level garage adjacent to LGMC's Burdin Riehl Center. The two garages house nearly 1,200 parking spaces.
5. In addition to the discontinuation of free valet parking, the fitness gym at Lafayette General Wellness at The Townhouse will close Nov. 30. The hospital did an assessment and determined that LGMC could no longer compete with the large number of fitness centers in the area, according to the report. LGMC will retain employees to continue the Executive Health Physicals and Occupational Health programs.
6. The hospital will also expand its partnership with. Duson, La.-based Advanced Radiographics Dec. 1 for courier service.
7. Lastly, LGMC's parent, Lafayette General Health, will transition its outsourced environmental services department back under the LGH umbrella Dec. 12.