Anytime changes take place in a large organization that resides in a small community, people talk. It’s understandable. A big fish (LRGHealthcare) in a small pond (the Lakes and Three Rivers Regions) is important to its people, not only to provide quality healthcare, but to be a viable entity for its communities.

As many have heard, LRGHealthcare is currently working on many changes to its operations and processes and recently had to regretfully implement a reduction in workforce as part of this journey. Unfortunately, much like the childhood game of Telephone, as the message passes through multiple ears, the story can get a bit skewed.

LRGHealthcare would like to take this opportunity to share some of the rumors and frequently asked questions and clarify with accurate information.

Is the Franklin Regional Hospital (FRH) Emergency Department (ED) closing due to budget cuts? No. Simply put, this is not true. In fact, in order for FRH to remain classified as a critical access hospital, it must have an ED. Its closing is pure rumor.

With the elimination of its ICU staff, can FRH still take care of ICU patients? Absolutely. While FRH does not have the patient volume to have a standalone ICU staffed 24/7, it can and will continue to take care of ICU-level patients. The ED and in-patient unit has a highly skilled staff who have the credentials to care for critically ill patients until they are stable enough to be transported to another ICU.

I heard RNs no longer work in Convenience Care. How will Convenience Care patients be taken care of without them? While it is true that RNs are no longer a part of the Convenience Care staff, Convenience Care at Laconia Clinic and Hillside Medical Park are still caring for patients as they always have. Much like in a regular provider’s office, medical assistants will make the initial contact with patients prior to the provider, a nurse practitioner (APRN), coming in for a more in-depth exam.

Is LRGHealthcare the only healthcare organization this is happening to? No. As Becker’s Hospital Review reported on April 1, 14 other healthcare organizations across the country experienced layoffs in the month of March alone. Five of those are in New England states. LRGHealthcare is among many organizations adapting to the new healthcare environment.

LRGHealthcare hopes that by sharing this information, the community will have better clarity about the changes taking place. The organization is working diligently to improve operations for better cost efficiency and optimal patient care, and it is confident in a bright future where it will continue to care for the health of its communities for many years to come.