Today New Hospital Service District Created

On Wednesday, July 8, the Jefferson Parish Council voted to create a new hospital service district to allow East Jefferson General Hospital and West Jefferson Medical Center to explore ways to gain greater efficiencies and financial savings by coordinating or sharing certain non-clinical services. The new District will be known as the Jefferson Parish Hospital and Health Services District. The Council and the Boards of the two hospitals view this action as a positive, pro-active step toward controlling rising costs and improving operational efficiencies in these challenging economic times.

The Community Hospital Boards paved the way for a new District. Creation of the new service district has been the subject of detailed study by both hospitals. The Boards of both hospitals agreed to investigate these collaborative efforts. West Jefferson Medical Center and East Jefferson General Hospital are autonomous and maintaining the independence of each hospital were critically important to the Council.

The new Service District is not a merger. The Council’s action should in no way be construed as a first step toward merging the two hospitals, sharing medical services or as a threat to the independence and autonomy of West Jefferson or East Jefferson hospitals.

Residents of Jefferson Parish will see no difference when they receive services at East Jefferson and West Jefferson hospitals. The New District provides a mechanism to coordinate or share non-clinical functions.