To DO NO HARM is part of an oath most believe medical professionals live by.
This becomes a central question to be answered in Topeka Stormont Vail’s plan to build a new Surgery Center in Emporia.
Stormont Vail recently informed Newman Regional Health officials that their strategic plan to capture more business in Emporia includes building a Surgery Center in our town.
Stormont Vail already has a significant presence in Emporia currently collecting millions of dollars in services. They recently claimed they are out of space to justify their new plan. They also made it clear to the Newman people that they had no interest in a cooperative effort.
Newman Hospital is in the best shape ever in the nearly 60 years I’ve lived in Emporia. Our hospital has added excellent doctors, and added services including specialties, they deliver and care for babies and they have a plan to get better. And maybe most important Newman operates an excellent Emergency Room!
Where’s the problem you ask?
Without question Stormont Vail’s new building features bells and whistles galore. Their presence could make some services now requiring a trip to Topeka available locally. Their proposal will be very impressive.
The problem isn’t with what Stormont Vail would bring. The problem is what Stormont Vail WILL NOT provide and the effect their new surgery center could have on Emporia’s medical delivery system.
I won’t mess around – bluntly it is not hyperbole to suggest a Stormont Vail Surgery Center could mean the closure of Newman Regional Heath within a short time frame!
I REPEAT THIS COULD FORCE OUR HOSPITAL TO CLOSE !!
If Stormont Vail is allowed to build it will capture many of the procedures Newman now offers that are profitable. Still, they will NOT deliver or care for babies, operate an Emergency Room, or offer rooms to keep patients overnight. The Stormont Vail move is totally predatory!
Bottom line!
It is difficult to imagine a situation where Newman Hospital survives. To survive we’d see a large property tax increase for Lyon Countians to offset the losses.
There is a move being considered designed to slow proposals like this with a zoning change to require such a facility to justify its need before a locally elected board.
If a plan is solid and DOES NO HARM it would likely be welcome and approved. This is a protection that has been successful in other Kansas communities.
Please get informed and visit with your commissioners.
I’m Steve Sauder and there’s something to really think about!
