ROCKLAND, Maine — The head of the newly merged health care system that serves Knox and Waldo counties announced plans Tuesday to expand the emergency departments at the local hospitals to deal with increasing mental health needs.
In addition, Coastal Healthcare Alliance President and Chief Executive Officer Mark Biscone said plans are underway to build new structures to house physicians on the campuses of both Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport and Waldo County General Hospital. The new buildings would pay for themselves in 10 years from savings on rent paid now for physician offices.
Biscone made his comments Tuesday during one of a series of community forums held in the midcoast area to update the public about the health care organizations. Pen Bay Healthcare and Waldo County Healthcare merged into Coastal Healthcare Alliance on Dec. 1.
The alliance plans to build additional space onto the emergency departments, mainly to create dedicated rooms to treat patients with mental health needs, he said.
The plans for new professional office buildings also are in the works, and Biscone said he expects they will be ready to be filed with town planners by summer.
At Pen Bay, a three-story building is being eyed, he said. The offices in the new building would be finished as the leases expire over the next several years on the buildings being currently rented by the health care organization for physicians along Route 1, he said.
“This is a good opportunity to bring the physicians back on the campus,” Biscone said. “This would be more convenient for patients who need lab services or radiology services.”
The health care leader said the combined organization is still investigating establishing a clinic in Rockland. This would likely be in coordination with the Knox County Health Clinic that has operated in Rockland since 1999.
Biscone also addressed the issue of a shortage of primary care physicians. He said the retirement of some physicians has resulted in a waiting list for patients to find a primary care doctor. Three primary care physicians are being recruited for Pen Bay Medical Center and one to two at Waldo County.
In addition, a second oncologist is being recruited for Pen Bay. Biscone said there has been a 25 percent increase in oncology services at Waldo County and an increase at Pen Bay as well.
Biscone said Waldo County finished the past budget year, which ended Sept. 30, with a healthy operating gain while Pen Bay broke even.
The final community forum for Waldo County General Hospital is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16, at the Searsport District Middle and High School.