The Westerly (R.I.) Hospital is stressing the importance of physician input as it explores an affiliation with Lawrence & Memorial Hospital in New London, R.I., according to a Westerly Sun report.
The two parties announced the exploration of an affiliation late last month, and the research process is expected to take four months. A Westerly spokesperson has said the next step is to determine, with physicians, which arrangements would work best for them.
Nurses are also expressing potential concerns for any affiliation with Lawrence & Memorial. Jackie Desmond, vice president of United Nurses and Allied Professionals Local 5075, which represents the hospital's nurses, said the union is concerned that an alignment may lead to reduction in services and leave Westerly as a "treat and send" facility, according to the report. She stressed the need for all hospital services to remain intact through an affiliation.
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Rhode Island's Westerly Hospital Explores Affiliation With Lawrence & Memorial
The two parties announced the exploration of an affiliation late last month, and the research process is expected to take four months. A Westerly spokesperson has said the next step is to determine, with physicians, which arrangements would work best for them.
Nurses are also expressing potential concerns for any affiliation with Lawrence & Memorial. Jackie Desmond, vice president of United Nurses and Allied Professionals Local 5075, which represents the hospital's nurses, said the union is concerned that an alignment may lead to reduction in services and leave Westerly as a "treat and send" facility, according to the report. She stressed the need for all hospital services to remain intact through an affiliation.
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