Exeter, Wentworth-Douglass Hospitals Cancel Partnership Pursuit

Wentworth-Douglass Hospital will not move forward in pursuit of an affiliation with Exeter Hospital, according to a Wednesday announcement.

In a press release, Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), which acquired Wentworth-Douglass Hospital (WDH) in 2017, said the proposed affiliation had faced scrutiny by state and federal regulators since it was initiated more than 2 1/2 years ago.

Both MGH and WDH said all parties, including Exeter Health Resources, had worked in good faith over that time but were "unable to find an agreeable resolution that would work in practice," the release said.

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Per the release, all three parties signed a letter of intent in May 2018 to form a nonprofit health-care network based on the Seacoast to "jointly deliver care and services throughout the Seacoast."

“We remain committed to our mission to provide access to high-quality health care services to meet the needs of the community as we partner with patients and families to attain their highest level of health,” Jeff Hughes, WDH Interim President and CEO said in the release. “We look forward to strengthening our relationship with MGH and exploring opportunities to further enhance and grow vital health care services in New Hampshire with an unwavering commitment to the interests and needs of our patients as well as to the greater Seacoast community.”

Added MGH President Peter L. Slavin, MD: “Mass General has been and remains committed to serving the health care needs of residents of Seacoast and southern New Hampshire. The people of New Hampshire should have the option of receiving their health care from local, not-for-profit providers who
give back to the communities they serve.”