LOUISBURG- A bidding war of sorts is happening in Franklin County for Franklin Regional Medical Center. The closing of the hospital last October under the ownership of Novant Health, left local resident without emergency room services.
Now three companies have their eyes on the facility, Duke LifePoint, WakeMed Health and Franklin County Healthcare Hospital and Practice Accountable Development Group. The three groups all submitted proposals during a public hearing on October 6 in front of hundreds of Franklin County residents.
In a statement to Time Warner Cable News from WakeMed, they said, "WakeMed’s proposal is centered on two of the most high-demand and needed services in North Carolina – urgent/primary care and behavioral health. Franklin County is underserved for urgent care services, particularly care that is available after-hours and on weekends."
Duke LifePoint Eastern Group President, Jeff Seraphine, said in a phone interview, "We feel we have a proposal that brings back as many healthcare services in their entirety. In their entirety we feel we can make a sustainable healthcare system there. We can work together to build upon the physicians that are in the community and help build more services and bring back service in the community including emergency room services and help meet the needs of the population."
As for Franklin County Healthcare Hospital and Practice Accountable Development Group, John Lange says the main focus is to have a a whole hospital with a physican governing board to run the facility. Lange said they would plan to offer total patient care.
Seven Franklin County comissioners are expected to vote on the bids this coming Monday and hope the hospital can reopen early next year.