WestCare Health System, based in Sylva, N.C., has decided to partner with Duke LifePoint Healthcare, a joint venture of Durham, N.C.-based Duke University Health System and Brentwood, Tenn.-based LifePoint Hosptials.
WestCare and Duke LifePoint will enter into a nonbinding memorandum of understanding to signify their intent to execute a partnership, according to a news release. After due diligence is completed, Duke LifePoint will purchase WestCare members Harris Regional Hospital in Sylva, N.C., and Swain County Hospital in Bryson City, N.C. Financial details and the deal's estimated date of completion were not disclosed.
It appears the acquisition will end WestCare's ties with Haywood Regional Medical Center in Clyde, N.C., according to a report from The Mountaineer. WestCare and Haywood teamed up several years ago to become MedWest Health System, which Charlotte, N.C.-based Carolinas HealthCare System has operated as a unit. However, there was no merger of assets, and the funds generated and spent by WestCare and Haywood remained separate, according to the report.
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