Frisbie Hospital's plan to send baby deliveries to Portsmouth approved in $2.75M deal

ROCHESTER — Frisbie Memorial Hospital will be allowed to move forward with its plan to discontinue labor and delivery of babies services, shifting births to Portsmouth Regional Hospital after a $2.75 million settlement agreement was reached, according to New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella.

Portsmouth Regional Hospital, like Frisbie, is owned by HCA Healthcare.

The agreement, announced Tuesday, calls for the Greater Rochester Community Health Foundation receiving the $2.75 million "in support of its mission to improve the health and well-being of people residing in the Greater Rochester community, with $750,000 in new funds to address critical public health needs in the greater Rochester community," according to the statement released by Formella. As a result, the foundation "has withdrawn its objection to the decision to cease offering labor and delivery services at the hospital," the announcement states.

The announcement states the money will help "provide critical assistance to the greater Rochester, New Hampshire community, including women and families affected by the closure."

The announcement does not state specifically how the $2.75 million will be spent. It states GRCHF will make available the processes by which organizations working to help improve the health and well-being of residents in Strafford County may apply for grants.

In a late 2022 interview, Frisbie CEO Tim Jones said, "With less than 100 deliveries this past year, our doctors cannot meet their accreditation requirements so it is not feasible to continue as birth rates are dropping."

“Our office is acutely aware of the challenges Granite Staters face due to the many recent closures of labor and delivery units,” Formella said in a prepared statement. “HCA Healthcare’s release of funds and contribution to GRHCF will provide an immediate infusion of resources to help ensure that members of the Greater Rochester community can continue to access these vital services. We appreciate all parties’ willingness to come to the table to reach an agreement that directs resources to community support.”

The announcement also included a prepared statement from Betsey Andrews Parker, chair of the Greater Rochester Community Health Foundation board and CEO of the Community Action Partnership of Strafford County

“As a foundation with a mission to improve the health and well-being of the people of Strafford County, the Greater Rochester Community Health Foundation wants to ensure that the community has access to high-quality health care programs and services, including maternity care,” she said. “We are pleased with the attorney general’s review, and we support the agreement with HCA Healthcare which increases the GRCHF’s resources available to serve the residents of Strafford County. The GRCHF Board looks forward to working with local partners to put these community assets to use.”

More:Emergency room wait times a nightmare on Seacoast, nationally: The causes and solutions

Jones said: “HCA Healthcare is dedicated to improving care in the Rochester community, and since we acquired Frisbie Memorial Hospital in 2020, we have invested nearly $27 million in upgrading the hospital to ensure the best care for Rochester residents. The reduced number of babies delivered at the hospital and across the region, and the departure of OB/GYN caregivers necessitates the shift of labor and delivery services to our sister Portsmouth Regional Hospital facility and other community caregivers. Our commitment to serving this community has not wavered. In fact, we are planning $12 million in investments in the coming year to ensure the best possible care for Rochester residents.”

Formella said HCA Healthcare has agreed to release certain spending and other restrictions on $2 million currently held by GRCHF so those funds can be made available for grants to the community. In addition, HCA Healthcare has made a $750,000 contribution in new funds to GRCHF that immediately can be used to help with community health needs.

This story will be updated.

This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: $2.75M deal: Frisbie Hospital moving baby deliveries to Portsmouth