Carilion Clinic to sell its interest in hospital, nursing facility

Centra Health is expected to gain full ownership of Bedford Memorial Hospital and Oakwood Health and Rehabilitation Center by mid-year.

Since 2001, the Lynchburg-based health system has co-owned with Carilion Clinic the 50-bed community hospital and 111-bed, long-term care facility in Bedford.

Roanoke-based Carilion plans sell its 50 percent ownership to Centra.

The board of directors of the hospital and long-term care facility, which share a campus in Bedford, have endorsed plans to transfer ownership.

“Our patients and this community will be our primary focus as we go through this transition,” Bedford Memorial Hospital Vice President and Administrator Patti Jurkus said in a statement. “We are committed to making 2014 a year of positive change for all of us”

Officials at the two facilities described the collaboration between Centra and Carilion over the years as successful and positive.

The decision to end the partnership was attributed to a changing health-care landscape, with declining inpatient volumes declining in smaller hospitals like Bedford Memorial Hospital.

Carilion also has moved away from operating long-term care facilities while Centra operates three nursing and rehabilitation facilities

The Bedford board of directors, which include representatives from Carilion, Centra, and the local community, determined local health needs can best be served with a single owner.

All Bedford Memorial Hospital employees will have the opportunity to transfer to Centra. They will maintain their accrued years of service and receive similar benefits.