The Washington County Hospital (WCH) in Plymouth has stopped offering medical services Thursday night.
According to a press release, WCH has not been owned or operated by the Washington County Government since the hospital was sold in 2007.
Officials are looking for information from and involvement with the hospital management to understand the issues related to the situation.
Multiple state agencies, health care industry consultants and special legal counsel are assisting to study the situation and evaluate all options available for the benefit of the community.
Officials hope the diversion will be temporary and short.
The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) will continue to operate at a Paramedic level to treat, stabilize, and transport all patients to the closest medical facility surrounding Washington County.
If the patient has reason to bypass to another facility that is equal distance, the request will be considered.
The closest facilities receiving patients are:
Washington County
- Vidant Chowan
- Vidant Bertie
- Vidant Beaufort
- Martin General Hospital
Tyrrell County
- Vidant Chowan
- Vidant OBX
If a patient has a condition that requires transport to a facility like Vidant Medical Center in Greenville, the decision will be made in accordance with State EMS Protocols.
The County does not anticipate a significant change in EMS services due to the situation, officials said.
The Washington County tax collectors office told WNCT’s Kara Gann the hospital owes $41,563.91 in taxes for all years.
This is a combination of the business listing, the property, and the land.
The office said the hospital was paying real estate taxes for 2017 up until November 208 through a monthly garnished payment and then stopped paying.
Tax collector Sherri Wilkins said they have reached out to the bank and did not receive a response back and at this point, they have not paid any 2018 taxes.
