LEWISTON — Since Prime Healthcare Foundation completed its acquisition of Central Maine Healthcare on Feb. 15, the system has recorded the departure of 572 employees, hospital officials confirmed Friday — a figure that current and former clinicians say has strained staffing and created unsafe conditions for patients.
Staffing numbers and the systemwide impact
Prime Healthcare Foundation, a California-based nonprofit, said the departures amount to “less than 20%” of the health system’s workforce and described the turnover as within expectations for a hospital transition. The foundation also reported hiring 400 new employees in the same period.
| Metric | Number |
|---|---|
| Employees who left since Feb. 15 | 572 |
| Employees hired since Feb. 15 | 400 |
| Acquisition date | Feb. 15 |
Multiple current and former employees, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they fear professional consequences, said the losses have compounded workloads and hampered care at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, at the system’s critical access hospitals in Bridgton and Rumford, and across outpatient practices.
Clinicians warn of delays and uncovered shifts
One physician who has worked in the system for several years said she plans to leave later this year. She told colleagues eight other physicians have left in the last six months and said the remaining staff are managing heavier patient loads.
“We have been incredibly busy and need more staffing,” the physician said. “I think that patient care is getting dangerously delayed.”
Internal communications reviewed by staff and described to reporters highlight specific operational strains: Prime management warned that CMMC’s histology lab, which processes biopsies and helps diagnose cancer, is experiencing “critically low staffing numbers.” Another email flagged uncovered shifts in the hospitalist department through July and August — the team that provides inpatient coverage and admits emergency and transfer patients, sometimes in serious condition.
Administration response and context
Prime Healthcare officials emphasized that staff turnover is common during hospital transitions and that health care nationally faces persistent staffing challenges. They also point to the hiring of 400 employees as part of the system’s response to turnover.
- Where: Central Maine Medical Center (Lewiston), Bridgton, Rumford, outpatient sites
- When: Since acquisition on Feb. 15; numbers confirmed July 10–12
- Concerns: Histology lab shortages, uncovered hospitalist shifts, heavier workloads
The departures arrive as communities served by Central Maine Healthcare rely on these hospitals for emergency care, cancer diagnosis and routine outpatient services. Staff describe operational gaps that can cause delays in testing, admissions and inpatient coverage — issues that have direct consequences for patient safety and throughput.
Local leaders, clinicians and patients will be watching whether the pace of new hires and any operational adjustments from Prime Healthcare stabilize staffing levels and reduce the number of uncovered shifts. For now, front-line providers say the system is managing a delicate balance between hiring and the immediate needs of patients in Lewiston and the surrounding counties.
Reporting for this story relied on statements from Central Maine Healthcare and Prime Healthcare Foundation and interviews with current and former employees who requested anonymity.
