State agency signs off on Wing Hospital sale

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By Rick Saia

A state agency has checked off on UMass Memorial Health Care’s sale of Wing Memorial Hospital in Palmer to Baystate Health of Springfield, clearing the way for the transaction.

The approval by the Massachusetts Public Health Council means the transaction, announced last December, is expected to be completed around Sept. 1, according to Peggy Thrappas, a spokeswoman for UMass Memorial.

Baystate officials expect that Wing’s proximity to Baystate’s western Massachusetts network will mean improved access to doctors, cost savings, better coordination of care and better alignment with local public-health efforts for patients in the Palmer/Quaboag region.

Financial details of the sale were not disclosed.

With 74 beds, Wing provides emergency, medical, surgical and psychiatric services to residents in the Quaboag Hills and Pioneer Valley regions. It has been part of the UMass Memorial system since 1999. Wing also provides outpatient services at its five medical centers in Belchertown, Ludlow, Monson, Palmer, and Wilbraham.

At the time the deal was announced, UMass Memorial CEO Eric Dickson said the potential sale was a difficult decision but makes strategic sense.

"A potential transfer of ownership allows both of our health care systems to provide high-quality, safe and affordable care close to home. We are certain through this process, and our continued collaboration with Baystate beyond the potential transfer of Wing, that we can improve services to patients, share best practices, minimize duplication and reduce the overall cost of care in the community," Dickson said at the time.

Once the sale is complete, UMass Memorial will operate four hospitals in Central Massachusetts which. Combined, have about 1,000 beds: UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, Marlborough and Clinton hospitals, and HealthAlliance Hospital in Leominster.