Roughly two weeks after the unexpected decision to end inpatient care at Nashville (Tenn.) General Hospital, Nashville Mayor Megan Barry announced the creation of a multidisciplinary team to help craft a formal proposal regarding the future of the hospital, according to the Tennessean.
Nashville-based Meharry Medical College created the 11-member stakeholder team, which comprises healthcare experts, hospital employees, hospital board members and two elected officials, among others. Ms. Barry said in a letter to The Metropolitan Council last week she will include the committee's input to help form a final proposal regarding care services at Nashville General.
"My announcement was the starting point for our discussion," Ms. Barry wrote in the letter, obtained by the Tennessean. "Now it is time for all involved to work together to develop that proposal into a workable and sustainable reality. I am confident that with the guidance and insight of this team, our city will come to an agreement on Nashville General Hospital that is the best way forward for all involved."
Once the final proposal is complete, Ms. Barry said the 11-member panel will issue a final recommendation to The Metropolitan Council and the hospital authority, which retain final approval.
While Ms. Barry did not outline a timetable for the discussions, members of her administration said the process could take more than six months to finalize plans, the report states.
"We look forward to collaborating with the mayor's office and metro council to bring proposals for the future of Nashville General Hospital together and ensure that all of our city's residents — regardless of socioeconomic status — have access to the compassionate care and support they need and deserve," Jan Brandes, MD, chair of the hospital authority board of trustees for Nashville General Hospital, said in a Nov. 13 statement to Becker's Hospital Review.
To view the full list of individuals composing the stakeholder team, click here.
Editor's note: This article was updated Jan. 11.