Biddeford-based Southern Maine Health Care has announced a reorganization that will eliminate about 13 positions and move overnight care from Sanford, Maine, to Biddeford, according to a Portland Press Herald report.
Here are eight things to know about the reorganization.
1. It is the result of a year-long analysis aimed at defining the services most needed in the future, and the most appropriate locations for each service.
2. Under the reorganization, SMHC will keep its 24-hour emergency center in the former Goodall Hospital in Sanford and open a new walk-in care center in Sanford.
3. Eldercare services will continue to be available in Sanford, including upgrading facilities with private rooms and modern amenities.
4. SMHC will also recruit up to 10 primary care providers for the Sanford/Springvale area, and will bring more specialists to Sanford so people do not have to travel out of town to see a cardiologist, pulmonologist and neurologist, officials said.
5. Additionally, a new SMHC Cancer Care practice will be opened to bring oncology services back to Sanford.
6. Due to the small number of inpatients cared for in Sanford, inpatient care – care that requires an overnight stay in the hospital – will be delivered at the Biddeford Medical Center, effective Oct. 23., said Ed McGeachey, SMHC’s president and CEO. But officials said the health system will ensure that day surgery facilities and the latest in diagnostics and therapy programs are available in Sanford.
7. Almost every staff member directly or indirectly involved with inpatient care in Sanford or any other affected service will continue to have a position with SMHC. About 13 staff members are not guaranteed a position after Oct. 23 at this time, but Mr. McGeachey believes many of them will be offered a position with SMHC over the next six weeks.
8. The reorganization comes nearly two years after Southern Maine Medical Center in Biddeford and GoodallHospital in Sanford completed their merger and became Southern Maine Health Care.
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