Cape and Island nonprofit hospices come together

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Cape Cod Healthcare and HopeHealth, two nonprofit hospice organizations serving the Cape and Islands, will come together under one umbrella by mid-January, according to a joint press release.

According to the release issued by Cape Cod Healthcare and HopeHealth officials, the two providers will consolidate under the Cape Cod Healthcare name in order to provide “greater strength and service to this unique patient population.”

HopeHealth will transition to Cape Cod Healthcare all of its Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard outpatient hospice services, and their inpatient McCarthy Care Center in Sandwich.

HopeHealth will continue its other operations in greater Boston, southeastern Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.

According to Diana Franchitto, president and CEO of HopeHealth, HopeHealth has had a presence on Martha’s Vineyard for many years. “We didn’t want to leave the Island,” Franchitto said. “[Cape Cod Healthcare] was very gracious and agreed to continue to have a presence on Martha’s Vineyard.”

The current HopeHealth office on-Island will be combined with the Visiting Nurses Association (VNA) of Cape Cod Healthcare after the consolidation is complete.

Franchitto said the HopeHealth team will reach out to current patients to determine an appropriate transition plan and create a “seamless transition process.”

“We want to make it as easy as possible for our patients during this time, with no interruption of service.”

When asked how employees of HopeHealth would be affected by the consolidation, Franchitto said all employees will attend an informational study, followed by individual meetings with Cape Cod Healthcare officials to identify the appropriate transition.