Meyer tours Bayhealth Sussex Campus

Gov. Matt Meyer was in Milford Oct. 8, taking a tour of the Bayhealth Sussex Campus and conducting a roundtable related to the needs of rural hospitals in Delaware.

Meyer’s visit came at a time when Bayhealth is preparing for both a surge in patients with respiratory illnesses as the weather turns colder and a $300 million expansion project. 

Of his visit, Meyer said, “Just recognizing the tremendous heroes that are working here every single day. Not enough healthcare providers throughout the country choose to work in rural settings.”

Meyer said keeping rural hospitals staffed is a major priority for his administration. He said he wants to confirm the state is collaborating to make sure there are residency spots and to ensure there are appropriate incentives for physicians, nurses, med techs and anyone working in the industry. 

He said he wants healthcare professionals to come to Delaware not only to address the workforce shortage, but also serve the state’s rural areas because those shortages are going to be particularly acute. 

Meyer said his administration is also monitoring developments at the federal level, where recent cuts to Medicaid programs and the current government shutdown, serve as real threats to people who need the services provided by rural hospitals.

Part of Meyer’s visit included a roundtable meeting with medical personnel and state government officials to discuss the best way to deliver services to Delawareans in rural areas. 

The Bayhealth Sussex Campus has undertaken a number of projects, including a new mobile care unit the hospital can use to take coverage to patients to meet needs such as bloodwork and mental health services. A recently announced $300 million expansion includes a new childcare center at the Sussex campus that will provide services to Bayhealth employees, as well as a new medical office building in Kent County. 

Meyer said other priorities include more physician training that would keep aspiring doctors and healthcare workers within the state for schooling, as well as seeking federal funding to supplement existing hospitals.