SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., – The board of directors of Garden County Health Services took the first step toward ensuring the availability of local health care for the future by voting December 30 to draft a letter of intent to affiliate with Regional West Health Services in Scottsbluff, Neb.

“Affiliation means we’ll become part of a larger, tertiary system,” said Jim Hansel, CEO of Garden County Health Services. “It’s a good move for our community because it secures health care services for the future.”

The Garden County Health Services board of directors has been considering a number of options to improve the hospital’s financial viability in consideration of the dramatic changes in the health care industry.

“It’s tough for small hospitals to go it alone in this environment,” said Hansel.

Local residents and the Garden County Commissioners took part, along with the board, in discussions and public forums about the future of local health care services and supported the decision to issue requests for proposals from three larger health care systems. The other systems were Sidney Regional Medical Center, Sidney, Neb., and Banner Health of Colorado.

“We have a strong relationship with Regional West Health Services. They’ve provided tremendous support through the years, so this is a natural transition,” said Hansel.

“It will take several months to develop the affiliation plan to present to their board of directors,” said David Griffiths, Vice President Finance and CFO of Regional West Health Services. “The residents of Garden County and the surrounding communities are part of our service area and many of them are our patients. It’s in our best interest and in theirs to work together to provide quality care now and in the future.”

Griffiths said affiliation with Regional West Health Services will benefit Garden County by providing greater resources for patient care, employee education, and technology support, among other benefits.

Regional West Health Services is the parent company for Regional West Medical Center and Regional West Physicians Clinic. These organizations, with over 1,800 employees, provide comprehensive and innovative health care services for the people and communities of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota and Wyoming. With over 110 active physicians, 95 percent of whom are board certified or board eligible, plus an additional 25 consulting specialists, the Regional West family of health care organizations offers care that spans more than 30 medical specialties.