10/15/12

A HOSPITAL (NOT) OF THE PEOPLE, (NOT) FOR THE PEOPLE, AND (NOT) BY THE PEOPLE


I think that the citizens of Henry County have a right to know what is going on at their local hospital. I see changes being made that are not in the best interest of our community.

The hospital administration seems to be immune from public criticism. And indeed, who is willing to stand up and say what needs saying?

Is it the local doctors, who have the most intimate knowledge of the changes occurring? It should be, but it is hard to criticize your boss publically and all of the local doctors who have staff privileges at the hospital (save yours truly) are employees of the hospital.

Is it the hospital board of trustees which has the power and responsibility to oversee the administration and ensure that changes being made benefit the local citizens? It should be, but it has a long history of rubber-stamping any administration request.

Is it the Board of County Commissioners (appointers of the board of trustees) which allows the hospital CEO to continue in an ill-conceived and short-sighted direction? It should be, but these people are too busy devising boondoggles like the Health & Wellness Clinic.

The bottom line is that I am the only person not under anyone’s thumb with knowledge that the hospital’s current direction fails to best serve the citizens of Henry County. The next three weeks will outline the problem and how it affects my (and possible your doctor’s) ability to provide patients with the best healthcare locally.