Understanding, but uncertainty about Lila Doyle change
Change, of course, is inevitable. At the least, the Great Recession and COVID-19 have reinforced that. So, it is with mixed emotion among old timers in the Oconee community to learn this week that Lila Doyle, the nursing and re-hab facility on the grounds of Prisma Health Oconee Memorial, is to be sub-leased to a subsidiary of the Ensign Group, a California-based acute care provider . An example is insurance agent Steve Nuttall, who has long history with Lila Doyle and the hospital since the days that a community-backed fundraiser helped build the local medical care facilities. Since, then the hospital has gone under the aegis of a large, upstate and midlands health care provider. Nuttall understands the corporate scenario of health care in the 21st century, yet he says he and others lament the loss of direct local control over acute care provider Lila Doyle. This week’s announcement states the sublease, expected November 1, is to be long-term; however, Lila Doyle is to remain clinically affiliated with Prisma Health. Nuttall’s comments are being aired on 101.7/WGOG NEWS.