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Local resident warns council of steep drop in St. James hospitalists, urges community response
Summary
A resident told the council that St. James Hospital lost 75% of its hospitalists and warned of negative effects on local care and additional costs for residents who may need to travel for treatment; the council did not record a formal response during the meeting.
During the public-comment period on July 8, resident Mr. Frost told the council he had learned that St. James Hospital had lost three-quarters of its hospitalists as of the prior day and urged the community and council to consider the consequences for local care.
"Yesterday, I was told that St. James...75 percent of their hospitalists, that was their last day," Mr. Frost said, warning that the staffing change could have "negative and severely detrimental effects on our local community" and could increase costs for residents who must travel to Anaconda for care. He said the county attorney's office is already overworked dealing with mental-health and substance issues and suggested the hospital staffing change could worsen local demand for services.
The council thanked Mr. Frost for raising the concern; no formal staff report, investigation or action was recorded during the meeting. The comment was entered into the public record for potential follow-up by staff or commissioners.
