Physicians and patients warn legal action against NCH over proposed policy

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NCH Baker Hospital. Photo via WINK News.
NCH Baker Hospital. Photo via WINK News.

David Marshall believes his personal rights are being taken away.

“We’re going to fight for this cause,” Marshall said.

Sign shows disdain for NCH's new patient provider policy. Photo via WINK News.
Sign shows disdain for NCH’s new patient provider policy. Photo via WINK News.

Marshall and his neighbors living on Crayton Road, said these signs, which oppose NCH’s proposed new patient physician policy, are getting a lot of attention.

“When the fellas put these signs up yesterday people were honking, waving,” Marshall said. “I’ve had bikes come by waving, thumbs up. There’s a huge support in this community for this cause.”

MORE: NCH CEO responds to concerns from the community about controversial pilot program

These signs are the latest message from people opposing the proposed policy, requiring patients to receive treatment from doctors employed by NCH, if they are admitted to the hospital. Currently, the program is in a pilot phase on certain floors of the hospitals.

NCH said in a statement, “NCH’s hospitalist pilot program is a pilot taking place across three units of NCH’s hospital. Patients can – and do – choose to be admitted and cared for by their primary care physician to a non-pilot floor at either of its hospitals.”

But today, WINK News also confirmed a group of physicians and patients hired an attorney who sent the hospital CEO a letter, which gives them 10 days to respond before they launch legal action.

Dr. Ronald Garry, from Naples Premier Concierge, said his focus is patient rights. He had this response to critics who said the independent doctors are just as concerned with their bottom line as the hospital.

“We want to go to the hospital because we want to take care of our patients,” Dr. Garry said. “Our patients want us in the hospital and if the NCH policy goes through, I actually get a better quality of life. But it’s the wrong thing to do. We want to be there for our patients.”

NCH said it saw an improvement in patient care and hospital stays during a pilot program launched in a limited number of units. The attorneys, who sent the letter to the board, are expecting a response by Dec. 17.

 

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