NEENAH, WI (WTAQ) – Two ThedaCare hospitals will not be merged into one facility.
Hospital officials have announced that they will instead invest money to enhance their existing hospitals in Appleton and Neenah, with a focus on expanding access and convenience across the nine counties it serves.
ThedaCare’s Board of Trustees, along with executive leaders, made that decision Tuesday following an 18-month exploration of a possible consolidation.
President/CEO Dr. Imran Andrabi says a variety of factors went into that decision.
“How much time will it take for people to travel to be able to access care, quality and safety issues, issues from a personnel perspective.”
While he was not able to provide any financial figures since renovation projects have not yet been identified, Andrabi notes cost was also a factor.
“Right now, it is better for us to reinvest in our current facilities and invest in additional infrastructure than to go to a single hospital.”
Hospital officials say they will begin planning for improving their existing facilities immediately.
Andrabi says this decision was made largely with the future in mind.
“We looked at how care is configured today and where healthcare is going in the future from a population of health perspective.”
Andrabi says more details on how they plan to enhance the existing facilities could be available in early 2018.
ThedaCare employs more than 6,700 healthcare professionals at its seven hospitals and 32 clinics throughout Northeast Wisconsin.
