Jersey Shore Hospital's plans for medical complex remain a problem for LH Hospital
Close proximity of facilities could be threat to LH Hospital
LOCK HAVEN — The uneasy suggestion that Jersey Shore and Lock Haven hospitals pool resources and become one is just that — an uneasy proposal.
The proposal is just one of the many being mentioned in recent months, as Lock Haven Hospital continues with its self examination of options, with an eye toward three options: offering itself to a national conglomerate, affiliating itself with larger local facilities like Geisinger Medical Center, or joining in partnerships with still other hospitals, like Jersey Shore’s system.
As was the situation when the LH-JS pact was discussed by local officials last year, the major sticking point remains a massive roadblock to any future considerations. Lock Haven wants Jersey Shore to drop the concept of building a major medical complex in the McElhattan area. Officials in Lock Haven have not said the plan is seen as a threat to Lock Haven Hospital’s economic soundness, but the close proximity to the Lock Haven facility could certainly be considered so.
This week, Lock Haven Hospital officials again emphasised that no pact will be possible, given Jersey Shore’s stated interest in the construction of such a complex.
Given that Lock Haven Hospital’s current contract with the management firm of Quorum ends this year, the facility is expanding its options by soliciting other agencies, companies and facilities for proposals to acquire the local medical facility.
The Lock Haven Hospital Board will be meeting with its legal counsel in the near future to further discuss the seven proposals it’s already received, but details of those offers have not been released by the local administration.
|
