Published: June 28, 2007 08:18 am      

Trinity provides some insight

Response to Daily Sun inquiry provides first look at decisions

Two days after Trinity Mother Frances Health System spokesman John Moore repeatedly said, “No statement means no statement,” to numerous questions posed by the Daily Sun about Trinity Clinic-Corsicana’s continued status as a health care provider in Navarro County, a statement issued by its marketing department Wednesday gave some insight into the Tyler-based hospital’s plans for the future of its Corsicana operation.

Tuesday, following Moore’s refusal Monday to answer any question asked of him with anything other than, “No statement means no statement,” he contacted the Daily Sun with a voice mail message, asking for an e-mail with the questions the paper wanted to ask. The Daily Sun complied with Moore’s request and submitted a list of 12 questions about the changes taking place at Trinity Clinic-Corsicana.

Included were questions asking which doctors would remain with Trinity Mother Frances, who were the physicians leaving, how the changes would impact support and office personnel, why local officials were not contacted, and whether or not Trinity had attempted to purchase Navarro Regional Hospital.

Trinity’s response, a release faxed to the Daily Sun Wednesday afternoon and attributed to Mary Peterson with Trinity Mother Frances Health System’s marketing department, touched on all of the areas of questions submitted, but failed to provide much detail or specific information on the number or identity of physicians and staff leaving the clinic. It also stopped short of explaining specifically why it was “transitioning” the clinic, other than saying it was a “business decision.”

In the release, Peterson said the business decision to “restructure” the Corsicana operation took place “about two months ago.” She said the decision was made “with input from its clinic physicians” and that the transition is expected to conclude at the end of September. The Daily Sun was told as recently as June 20 by Moore that he “was not aware of any changes,” although Peterson’s response indicates the decision was made in April.

“The process is still underway and the final outcome is yet to be determined,” the release said. “Because of contract and confidentiality obligations, there is a limited amount of discussion that can take place at this time. We will provide additional information as it becomes possible to do so.”

Peterson said in the Trinity release, “Overall, there should be no loss of any medical services or procedures to the community as a result of the transition. We expect most if not all of the physicians who are transitioning out of the clinic to remain in Corsicana to care for their patients.”

Laboratory, radiology and other diagnostic services currently being offered at Trinity Clinic-Corsicana would continue to be provided, she added.

Regarding the loss of support jobs at the clinic, the release said, “We expect many of the staff to follow the transitioning physicians,” but gave no information as to the number of support and office staff affected by the clinic’s plan.

In response to questions about Trinity’s failure to inform local government officials of its decision, she said that Trinity Mother Frances Health System, as a private, not-for-profit health system, “works closely with local government officials on all matters subject to local government control. The decision not to build a hospital in Corsicana is a private business decision, as is the decision to transition the clinic.”

The release also failed to provide a clear answer about any negotiations or plans to purchase the existing hospital in Corsicana.

“At this time, Trinity Mother Frances Health System is unable, due to confidentiality constraints, to comment on efforts to purchase Navarro Regional Hospital,” Peterson said.

A previous release from Trinity said it was exploring a partnership with the planned new owners of Navarro Regional, Community Health Systems. However, Navarro Regional’s administrator Fred Woody said he was told by Community Health Systems officials in May no such talks had taken place.

“The original announcement to build a new hospital in Corsicana in July 2005 was made in good faith and with the intention to move forward,” Peterson explained. “With changes in business circumstances, a very difficult decision was reached not to build. This was a disappointment for Trinity Mother Frances Health System and for many in the Corsicana community. We apologize and we want to assure the community that Trinity-Clinic Corsicana and Trinity Mother Frances Health System will continue to work with the local health care system and health care providers in Navarro County and surrounding communities.”

Peterson said physicians and staff “are committed to a positive working relationship” with other area health care providers, and is working with clinic physicians to inform patients impacted by its announced transition.

“The clinic is working diligently to help ensure the continuity of patient care and to achieve a smooth and seamless transition,” Peterson’s release concluded.

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Bob Belcher may be reached via e-mail at belcher@corsicanadailysun.com