The right approach Keep New Milford Hospital healthy for the community

The disclosure this week that New Milford Hospital lost $5.5 million in the last fiscal year -- $4 million more than had been budgeted -- is evidence the time is right for an affiliation with Danbury Hospital.

The two former competitors began talks last September that are expected to lead to a new relationship by spring.

As we said when negotiations began, the concept makes sense. The two distinguished hospitals are just 15 miles apart, and both can benefit from an affiliation that will make the sum stronger than the parts.

At the same time, however, care must be taken New Milford Hospital -- by far the smaller hospital with 85 patient beds compared to Danbury's 371 -- retains its well-established community presence.

With more than 600 staff, New Milford Hospital is one of the larger employers in the Greater New Milford area and is active in the community with outreach health programs.

Its Plow to Plate project, espousing health benefits of locally grown, seasonal produce, is a model across the country.

Its successful Regional Cancer Center has provided a needed service, and solace, to so many in the community.

The character, compassion and caring integral to New Milford Hospital must not be diluted with the proposed affiliation.

We have every expectation those qualities will remain, as they also are inherent with Danbury Hospital's mission.

New Milford Hospital has taken measures in the past year to regain a firm financial footing. Staff was reduced by about 7 percent, and the hospital's board anticipates a no-loss budget for the fiscal year which began Oct. 1.

Even so, an affiliation between the hospitals is the right approach to ultimately lead toward even better, coordinated health care for the region.