SMHC Sanford to lose inpatient beds, but expand other services
By TAMMY WELLS
Senior Staff Writer
SANFORD — Southern Maine Health Care President Ed McGeachey today announced big changes at the hospital’s Sanford campus. On Oct. 23, it will close its inpatient beds, discontinuing inpatient surgeries. Emergency room care will remain with more observation beds added to that department. Additional plans for Sanford include: renovating eldercare facilities, establishing a walk-in clinic, adding more day surgeries, increasing the number of primary care physicians, and expanding offerings at the south Sanford Cancer Care Center of York County.
About 70 employees will be affected by the change, said McGeachey in an afternoon interview. All but 13 will transition to other jobs, but those 13 will be in line for openings as they occur.
The daily inpatient census at the former Goodall Hospital has ranged from 10 to 14 a day at the 58-bed facility for several years.
Mayor Tom Cote said he’s optimistic about what’s on the horizon for the Sanford campus and is thrilled that SMHC remains committed to Sanford.
The former Goodall Hospital merged with Southern Maine Medical Center to become SMHC Jan. 1, 2014.
Look for much more on this story in Thursday’s Journal Tribune. — Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or [email protected].
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