The Calhoun Health Services (CHS) board has approved a comprehensive study of the hospital’s operations as they consider a potential change in its management structure.
The hospital’s contract with North Mississippi Medical Center expires Sept. 30, and the board will review results of this study to determine if they should recommend to the county board of supervisors a different route. The options would be to continue operating as they are now with a management contract, to lease the entire property and facility to someone to operate independently, or for CHS to manage the hospital on their own.
James Franklin
“There’s nothing unusual about this,” said James Franklin, CHS administrator. “There are many other public hospitals studying how they will go forward. Things in this industry are changing so fast, everyone is just trying to determine what’s best for them.”
Horne CPA firm is conducting the study, which should be complete by the end of this month.
“They have a lot of experience with these hospital studies,” Franklin said. “I would think some time in September the board will make a recommendation to the supervisors based on that report.”
Franklin said NMMC has informed the hospital board they are willing to continue their current management beyond the Sept. 30 end of contract to allow more time to make a decision.
Regardless of which path the county chooses for the hospital, Franklin said NMMC has informed them “they’re still interested. Baptist (Health Systems) has also expressed interest. I think they’re both interested whether it’s management or lease, either one.”
In a related matter, Franklin said they are awaiting approval of construction plans from the State Department of Health to proceed with the proposed $2.2 million expansion.
The project involves construction of a new 10,032 square foot facility on the northeast corner of the CHS campus that will provide a new headquarters for the ambulance service, a larger physical therapy unit and office space for hospital administration.
“As soon as we hear from that we will begin the process of putting it out for bid,” Franklin said.
