Repair trust, rebuild relationships The controversy swirling around Bath Community Hospital is untenable. Resolution is needed quickly, and we had hoped this week’s discussions among the community, medical staff and BCH board members would be the beginnings of an improved atmosphere. Board member Amory Mellen explained it best last week, when he publicly wrote the board “could have made better efforts to reassure our doctors, staff, and the community before things got to this point.” We don’t know much about what led to the board’s decision not to renew Redington’s contract, but let’s look at what we do know: First, we know this board consists of people who voluntarily invest a great deal of time and energy into creating policies and making decisions they believe are in the best interests of the hospital and the people it serves. They take that job seriously. We know Dr. Redington’s resume of experience and long-term commitment to the hospital and the community is solid. He’s not perfect, but patients, families, friends and colleagues almost universally know him as an excellent, dedicated physician who has also volunteered his time on the hospital board. The drastic move by his peers to resign speaks volumes — these doctors, who worked alongside him, believe in him as much as his patients do. We understand both Redington and the board members are eager to talk publicly about the circumstances. They desperately want the facts laid out, so others can hear their sides to this story. But the world today is steeped in legal issues that prevent them from talking beyond the boardroom walls. Like it or not, none of them are free to talk about the situation. It’s just the way things are. The board correctly cites employment regulations, and frustrating as it is, they are hamstrung, with no way to defend their decision publically. We know Bath Countians are just as dedicated to the welfare of this hospital, and to Dr. Redington. The organization and spirit behind their support of Dr. Redington is evident; they are willing to fight, hard, for his return. They coordinated Tuesday night’s open forum in an impressive move that brought board members, medical staff and residents together to express concerns and offer solutions. The staff at Bath Community Hospital has carried on in spite of these trying circumstances. They undoubtedly feel the stress of swirling rumors and uncertainty, plus pressure from those outside hospital walls to share details they cannot. Somehow, they remain focused on their work. We applaud them, along with the doctors, who have consistently continued providing good health care. The board has also given them credit for keeping up “business as usual” inside BCH. Sadly, the community has generally lost faith in this board. It’s time to rebuild trust and relationships. Toward that end, we urge the board to reconsider its decision not to renew Redington’s contract. So far, board members have maintained almost to a one that their decision was right for the hospital. Yet, at Tuesday night’s community forum, the three board members said talks with Redington are under way. We shall see. In light of the protests and Redington’s record, we think they should revisit the circumstances, take a second look at the facts, and do a thorough, detailed review. They are human. Maybe they made a mistake. Maybe the full board didn’t have all the information it needed. Maybe the circumstances could have been handled another way, one that did not result in Redington losing his job. Redington’s peers — those who worked with him closely — do not believe for one moment he did anything egregious enough to merit a non-renewal. Board members should step back, and think again— maybe they overreacted, maybe they’ll stick by their original decision. Either way, another thorough examination of whatever happened is the right thing to do. Redington deserves that much. So do the doctors who stand by him, and the hundreds of patients for whom he has made a difference. We are certain the last thing Redington wants to do is file suit, but it’s perhaps the only method he has left to defend his reputation, and we cannot blame him for using it. Communication must be improved. With this week’s board and medical staff meeting, and the community gathering Tuesday night, we hope an open dialogue continues. We must respect the board’s obligation to good employment practices. We don’t consider this board “hiding” behind them. But we urge the board to go further. The board includes two doctors — Redington and Dr. Michael Bost. We see no need to worry over conflicts of interests; they are bringing the perspective of medical staff and medical practices. Keep them in the meetings, no matter what. And don’t hold mini-meetings or one-on-one conversations that carry no “official” weight and only serve to undermine board and staff relationships. Then go even further, and consider ways to rebuild trust with citizens and patients — speak to residents and BCH staff in ongoing discussions, one-on-one, or public meetings — wherever and whenever the opportunity arises, board members must at least look people in the eye and say with confidence they understand their frustrations, and they’re listening. As for the rest of us, let’s keep emotional reactions under control. Feeling passionately about Redington is terrific; allowing that passionate support to devolve into namecalling or personal criticisms is damaging to all involved. While we’re at it, let’s stop speculating about Redington’s contract. We don’t know what we don’t know. Guessing about why that contract wasn’t renewed is a natural reaction, but it has created numerous unfounded rumors that aren’t helping this situation, or Redington. Much of it only serves to add insult to injury. And before we jump to conclusions about the hospital’s compliance with federal regulations as reported this week, take a longer view. We believe BCH was caught up between satisfying federal policies, which trump state policies, and we believe those conflicting sets of rules are a problem not just for our little hospital, but for any hospital with an emergency room. Something needs to happen legislatively to sort that out; we believe neither BCH nor its staff did anything wrong in the way they handled patients. It was a policy conflict, and it’s resolved. What’s truly unfortunate is that trapping BCH unfairly in between these policies may be the root cause of all this damage, and that is a serious matter. Maybe there’s no “repair” left but inside a courtroom. But however that plays out, this community needs healing, and the board of this hospital must do whatever it takes to promote it. One thing we know for sure: Everyone involved cares about this hospital and wants it to succeed — the people who live here, the staff and doctors, and those serving on its board. Let’s work together to get this straightened out. (This letter was in Thursdays Recorder was written by Amory Mellen)
Posted on: Sun, 02 Nov 2014 20:33:43 +0000
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