Plans to sell NKC Hospital two years in the making

NORTH KANSAS CITY, Mo. - While many were shocked to hear of plans to sell North Kansas City Hospital on Tuesday, it turns out the process started two years ago.

On Wednesday, the city council requested a meeting with the hospital’s board of trustees to go over the plan to sell for the first time.

The meeting only lasted a little more than 30 minutes, but in that time it was clear the way the city went about this plan has left hospital leaders feeling like they've been blindsided.

After the meeting, council members had no comment.

Hospital President and CEO David Carpenter only found out about plans to sell this week.

Carpenter wouldn't talk about the plan or whether there is a buyer – but he did reflect on his disappointment.

"(It’s a) shock,” said Carpenter. “We've had a long relationship with the city of North Kansas City – it's been a positive relationship – through the years, and to learn that the city council had gone forward with a plan to sell the hospital without engaging the board of trustees, or me as CEO, was very shocking."

Carpenter and the hospital board learned the city began discussions to sell two years ago.

He sent an email to hospital employees right before the plan was made public on Tuesday.

"I know this news is unsettling, and I appreciate your continued focus on providing excellent care to our patients. The board of trustees and administration will continue to support North Kansas City Hospital, our patients, employees and physicians. I will keep you advised as we learn more about this issue," it read.

"We are an excellent hospital. We are strong financially, high quality patient satisfaction. And we just need to continue to do that as we work through this issue with the city," the email continued.

Carpenter is confident he and the board of trustees will come up with a plan to continue to provide care at the hospital for the foreseeable future.

After the meeting with the council, Carpenter met with his board to go over their next step.