North Country Healthcare Releases Report On Community Listening Sessions, Responds To Concerns

COÖS COUNTY, N.H. — North Country Healthcare on Monday released a report summarizing feedback from a series of community listening sessions held earlier this year across the region, highlighting widespread concern about access to care, staffing and communication, along with strong support for keeping local hospitals open.

The report, titled Community Conversations: What We Heard, draws on input from more than 300 residents who attended sessions in Jefferson, Berlin, Lancaster, Bethlehem and Colebrook, as well as those who submitted questions in advance.

In a statement accompanying the report, the organization thanked participants and emphasized the level of engagement.

“The time, honesty, and care people brought to these conversations made one thing very clear: our communities are deeply invested in the future of local healthcare,” the statement said. “We see that as a strength.”

North Country Healthcare said the sessions were designed as listening opportunities rather than presentations or decision-making meetings, and were facilitated by New Hampshire Listens at the University of New Hampshire’s Carsey School of Public Policy.

According to the report and an independent summary prepared by NH Listens, participants raised concerns about access to care, workforce shortages, communication, finances, changes to local services and the broader direction of the system.

At the same time, the report notes that many residents expressed appreciation for frontline health care workers and pride in their local hospitals, along with a shared goal of maintaining care close to home.

“What stood out most was how much people care,” the organization said.

North Country Healthcare CEO Tom Mee speaks during a community listening session held at Lancaster Elementary School on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026. (Photo by Paul Hayes)

North Country Healthcare said it grouped questions by theme to provide more detailed responses and to reflect the priorities raised during the sessions.

“Our goal is not only to answer questions, but also to show how seriously we take the perspectives shared with us,” the statement said.

The report comes amid heightened scrutiny of the system. In November, the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office opened a formal review examining governance, executive compensation, contracting practices and access to primary care.

Those issues were also reflected in the listening sessions, where residents raised questions about transparency, local control and continuity of care.

North Country Healthcare said the listening process is ongoing and that leadership teams are reviewing feedback to identify patterns and next steps.

“Listening does not end when the chairs are folded up,” the organization said. “These conversations help us understand where we need to do better, where we need to explain things more clearly, and where we need to keep listening.”

As part of its response, the system announced several additional engagement efforts, including the formation of a Patient & Family Advisory Council to provide ongoing input on care experience, safety and communication.

The organization also plans to host a series of open houses in May at its hospitals in Berlin, Lancaster and Colebrook, followed by a second round of community conversations in June, including in-person sessions and a virtual option. A third round is tentatively planned for October.

North Country Healthcare said its long-term goal remains unchanged.

“Our goal remains to keep each of our hospitals, as well as our home health and hospice services, open, strong, and providing excellent, integrated care close to home,” the statement said.

The system said achieving that goal will require “discipline, transparency, and long-term planning,” as well as continued community engagement.

“We are grateful for this level of engagement, and we hope it continues,” the statement said. “Please keep joining us, keep asking questions, and keep sharing your perspective.”