Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Closer to Acquisition of Plymouth Hospital

As Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, the Harvard-affiliated teaching hospital, gains support for its proposed acquisition of Jordan Hospital in Plymouth, officials from both hospitals are addressing concerns about potential layoffs.

Some employees at the 155-bed Jordan Hospital have voiced concerns about possible layoffs as a result of the merger and asked for unambiguous guarantees by BIDMC that all necessary services currently in place would stay in place, according to a report in WickedLocal.

Representatives from both BIDMC and Jordan Hospital told The Crimson that their hospitals are working to allay those concerns.

“We are ready to have a public hearing at the Public Health Council and address any issues that may arise. Our decisions will be made according to what the regulatory authority deems appropriate,” said BIDMC spokesperson Jerry Berger.

Jordan Hospital spokesperson Christopher Smalley provided a stronger response.

“The alliance with BIDMC will not cause any change in our staffing patterns,” said Smalley. “The purpose of the alliance is to enhance and expand the services that we have and hopefully introduce more services. Additional services mean more patients, and more patients also mean more opportunities for employment.”

Earlier this month, the state Health Policy Commission deemed the acquisition unlikely to drive up medical costs in Plymouth and Barnstable counties, a key step in the regulatory process required before the deal can be closed, according to the Boston Globe.

Jordan Hospital initially sought a merger due to challenges that emerged as a result of recent health reforms.

“We recognized that in order to compete with peers and provide better care for the community, we had to align with a very strong medical center,” Smalley said.

Jordan Hospital settled on BIDMC after receiving a number of bids, Smalley said. He cited BIDMC’s resources and connection to Harvard Medical School as reasons to merge with the hospital.

“After a nine-month due diligence process, we decided that a merger with BIDMC will not only benefit our hospital but our community,” he said. Due to confidentiality agreements, Smalley would not share the names of the unsuccessful bidders.

For BIDMC, the merger presented an opportunity to partner with a quality hospital in a nearby community.

The Harvard-affiliated teaching hospital already operates community hospitals in Milton and Needham. Berger said he believes that the merger will improve care at Jordan without affecting operations at BIDMC “in any great measure.”

The final decision on the merger will be made at the Public Health Council in October, but Smalley said he is optimistic that it will happen.

“We look forward to being part of the BIDMC. We think Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center is a great organization which will provide great opportunities for our patients,” he said.