12/24/2021

A Message to the Community from Wentworth-Douglass Hospital President & CEO Jeffrey Hughes

To Our Seacoast Community,

As COVID-19 cases continue to climb in our area, Wentworth-Douglass is facing challenges unprecedented in our 115-year history. And while we are hopeful for the best, we also know the situation could worsen in the coming winter months.

As a result, your interactions with us may be different from what you’ve experienced in the past. We genuinely need your support as we shift our focus to caring for those patients who need it the most.

Please understand that:

Our hospital is very busy.

Our current volume of patients is creating a strain on our capacity. As a result, you may notice areas of the hospital have been re-purposed to allow us to care for the critically ill.

Wait times may be longer.

In addition to the current COVID-19 surge, many people deferred care earlier in the pandemic, which has created an increased need in our services. Recently, wait times for non-emergency needs have been longer at some of our locations, especially in our emergency room and urgent care locations.

We have visitor restrictions.

We are currently not allowing most visitors, with some exceptions. Our busy facilities, combined with the current COVID-19 surge, don’t allow us to provide our traditional visitor access. Many of our patients are also vulnerable, and minimizing visitors mitigates the spread of the virus, creating a safer environment. Our current visitor restrictions are posted on the main page of our website.

Some services have been suspended or delayed.

Our reallocation of space and expertise has created delays for many scheduled elective surgeries. Our medical teams are painstakingly reviewing each scheduled procedure to ensure those who need medical care most, receive it as soon as possible.

National Guard and FEMA workers are assisting.

We are managing our current challenges through the incredible teamwork of our employees. If you visit us, you may encounter members of the National Guard and FEMA who are currently assisting our teams.

Our staff needs your kindness.

Please be kind to our staff. These challenging times can be frustrating, but our team is working heroically to save lives and make people well. They need your support, patience, and encouragement.

You can help. (By getting vaccinated or volunteering)

The most important thing you can do to help us: get vaccinated from COVID-19. And encourage those you love to do so as well. The vaccines are safe and effective, and mass vaccination is our way out of this pandemic.

Please continue to follow CDC guidance for protecting yourself and others from COVID-19 (masking, social distancing, hand washing).
And we are always accepting volunteers. Understandably, we’ve lost many of them during the pandemic. If you’re vaccinated, and want to help, please reach out to Jackie Small: Jacquelyn.Small@WDHospital.org or 603-740-2837.

We know you trust us to care for the health and wellness of the Seacoast community – and that remains our primary focus.

We are YOUR community hospital and will always be there for you - like you are there for us.

Sincerely,

Jeff Hughes
President & CEO
Wentworth-Douglass Hospital