Susan Smith: Concord Hospital should be held accountable by NH DOJ-Charitable Trusts Unit

To The Daily Sun,

I’m responding to the article “Have 6,000 patients been abandoned?”

Dr. Taj Shafique’s statements are on point. “You cannot abandon patients. It’s unethical and immoral, if not illegal.” Charitable organizations are governed by New Hampshire law. “A charitable organization's activities must always advance the charity’s purpose.” Through their board, charitable organizations have a duty to faithfully carry out its charitable purpose and mission.

Concord Hospital’s mission: “Concord Hospital is a charitable organization. We exist to meet the health needs of individuals within the communities we serve.” Terminating three doctors, leaving 6,000 patients without reasonable access to a primary care doctor, is a breach of CH’s charitable purpose and mission. It’s irresponsible to remove established and respected doctors in an area with a shortage of primary care doctors already. Even before this outrageous act, doctors in local practices weren’t taking new patients. CH should be adding, not removing doctors. It defies logic to terminate doctors before another one is onboard. Replacing three doctors with one; how does that make any sense? Having CH providers rotate through CH-Laconia, to see patients they’ve no relationship with and no opportunity for continuity of care, just adds insult to injury.

It appears the direction CH is going is to use physician extenders (nurse practitioners and physician assistants) instead of doctors in their practices. Physician extenders are fine for annual check-ups and routine health issues. Experienced doctors are needed to diagnose and treat complex medical issues. My husband was diagnosed with cancer by a very astute, experienced doctor; adding years to his life. There’s no doubt a PA or NP would’ve ever picked this up, so this hits home.

CH board and administration have breached their duty to carry out their mission and purpose as a charitable organization and should be held accountable by the NH DOJ-Charitable Trusts Unit.

Susan Smith

Gilford