The board of directors for MedWest-Harris and Med-West Swain hospitals met Tuesday, Sept. 4, to discuss whether to dissolve its ties with MedWest-Haywood.

The board met a month ago on the same subject but decided to continue studying the issue and reconvene in another month to make a more conclusive decision.

Harris and Swain partnered with Haywood Regional Medical Center two and half years ago under the MedWest banner. However, doctors and hospital staff in Jackson County, and to some extent Swain County as well, have been unhappy with the affiliation.

Hospital leadership has been listening to their concerns with an open mind and this summer also began questioning whether WestCare would be better off pulling out of MedWest.

The 14-member WestCare board, which oversees Harris and Swain hospitals, met Tuesday evening but had not come to a decision as of press time. Check www.smokymountainnews.com for any news coming out of the meeting.