Rendering of proposed new Nantucket Cottage Hospital
NANTUCKET – In keeping with a Department of Public Health requirement, the new Nantucket Cottage Hospital will use five percent of its capital costs to pursue a community healthcare plan.
About $4.9 million will be used out of the $85 million total cost to further the “Healthy Nantucket 2020” project.
The plan began last year when officials trawled community members for pressing health needs and then prioritized them based on their feedback.
Public Information Officer for Nantucket Cottage Hospital Jason Graziadei said the articles of most concern include behavioral health, womens’ and childrens’ health, access to healthcare and access to housing.
“This is really a once in a generation opportunity for the islands,” he said. “Now we have some resources to try to make some changes in these areas.”
When health organizations make major capital expenditures like the construction of the new hospital, the state requires them to set aside a portion to focus on health services in the community.
The community health improvement plan will move forward in more direct steps this year, Graziadei said.
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