In an effort to maintain health services for two regional communities, McLeod Health in Florence on Tuesday announced its agreement to operate the hospital in Chesterfield County.
McLeod Health has signed a letter of intent relating to both facilities, Chesterfield General Hospital in Cheraw and Marlboro Park in Bennettsville, South Carolina.
National hospital company Community Health Systems announced in April 2014 that it would not renew leases to operate the two health facilities in that region.
Through May 1, 2015, the hospitals will continue to be operated by MC Healthcare/Alecto until a definitive agreement can be completed for a safe and orderly transition to McLeod Health. After that date, McLeod plans to operate the Chesterfield General Hospital as an acute care facility, to improve current services and to grow.
The hospital in Cheraw is a 59-bed facility which experienced 19 patients per day occupancy last year and operated at a break-even operating margin, based upon public data.
The 102-bed Marlboro Park facility in Bennettsville experienced 14 patients per day occupancy last year. According to SC Health data the hospital operated at a $10 million loss.
Strengthening health resources for Bennettsville, McLeod plans to collaborate with physicians, CareSouth Carolina, Scotland Health Care System, and other providers to study what services can be offered.
Additionally, McLeod teams plan a job fair for outplacement services to employees in Bennettsville and will be reviewing open positions available throughout the McLeod system to help identify work opportunities for medical professionals and clinical staff, as well as ancillary hospital employees.
McLeod leadership will be meeting with physicians, staff and community leaders in the region about these changes during the next 30 days.
“This agreement is consistent with our not-for-profit mission,” says Rob Colones, President and CEO of McLeod Health. “The changing healthcare landscape makes it considerably more difficult for hospitals in rural areas to operate successfully.
We believe that this affiliation allows McLeod Health the best way to continue serving the health needs for families in those communities.”
McLeod officials note a number of reasons this decision is good both for these communities and for McLeod. The agreement brings McLeod resources to the hospital and community, including consolidating to Cheraw for better financial stewardship and help with economic losses at the hospital in Marlboro County.
McLeod Health currently operates 5 hospitals, including McLeod Regional Medical Center in Florence as well as McLeod Darlington, McLeod Dillon, McLeod Loris and McLeod Seacoast. McLeod also operates Urgent Care Centers in Florence and Darlington, along with 59 medical practices in eight counties.
