by Audrey Thomasson
KILMARNOCK—Big changes at Bon Secours Rappahannock General Hospital (RGH) seem to have taken a positive turn for the community. Last Monday, an open house was held to show improved facilities and to celebrate the hospital’s 40th anniversary.
After last May’s community meeting in which some 300 citizens and hospital employees lashed out against Bon Secours for eliminating the intensive care unit (ICU), lack of communication with the community and employees, announcing the elimination of all surgeries after 3 p.m., and the exodus of several doctors and nurses, the parent company reconsidered some of its plans.
At the open house, those changes were evident on the happy faces of the staff who greeted visitors and enthusiastically discussed recent improvements in their departments and plans for what’s coming in the next 12 months.
While the ICU department is gone, Bon Secours reversed its decision on surgeries.
