Why New Hampshire Hospital Systems Are Splitting After Their Merger: What It Means for Patients

Seven years after they merged, two New Hampshire health systems, Elliot Health System and Southern New Hampshire Health, are ready to part ways. They’ve filed a “disaffiliation agreement” with state officials, which indicates their plan to separate into independent entities once more.

Originally, these systems came together in 2018 under the name SolutionHealth to improve healthcare access and manage costs effectively. They later added Home Health & Hospice Care to their services in 2022. However, now the leadership believes that separating is better for their missions and the communities they serve.

Elliot Health operates a not-for-profit, 296-bed hospital in Manchester. Southern New Hampshire Health runs a 188-bed facility in Nashua, close to Boston. Both systems provide various clinics and services to their regions.

Dr. Greg Baxter, the CEO of Elliot Health, expressed that while Elliot aims to establish itself as a regional referral center, Southern New Hampshire has strong ties to Boston-based providers. This geographic closeness and the existing partnerships with institutions like Massachusetts General Hospital have shaped their healthcare delivery strategies.

Over time, they’ve realized that integrating their systems isn’t enhancing their goals. Community feedback is essential, and SolutionHealth held listening sessions for residents to voice their opinions about the separation plans. This transparency is crucial as many locals depend heavily on these healthcare services.

The process of separation could take about six months. While they are separating, both systems remain committed to delivering high-quality care. They’re exploring future collaborations that align with their missions and community needs, ensuring that patient care remains their top priority.

Recently, Southern New Hampshire Health has shown improvements in patient volume, leading S&P Global Ratings to affirm its “A-” credit rating, the highest it has achieved. This positive trend reflects their ongoing commitment to serve the community effectively.

In summary, Elliot Health and Southern New Hampshire Health are proactively redefining their operational frameworks to better serve their respective communities. This decision, while rooted in their past collaboration, aims to provide a clearer path for healthcare delivery in New Hampshire.

For more detailed insights into healthcare mergers and their impact, you can visit Health Affairs.

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