Perceived hostility and rifts on the part of the board of Haywood Regional Medical Center are frustrating county commissioners.

At a recent hospital board meeting, doctors ended up storming out after being told not to express their opinions unless it was during a public comment session. It also appeared that veteran board members were unwilling to listen to some of the questions posed by newer members.

At the county commissioners’ meeting Monday (July 7), Commissioner Mary Ann Enloe spoke out about her displeasure with the board’s seeming inability to get along and listen to the community.

“The frustrations of folks have escalated now into anger. They’re telling me they see the veteran hospital board member as ineffective, and quite frankly obstructionist,” Enloe said.

Enloe went so far as to lay out the ways in which the hospital board could be replaced or dissolved. There are four ways to do so — by attrition; changing state general statutes; suing in Superior Court to dissolve the authority; and removing for cause, which is extremely subjective.

She cautioned board members to respect doctors and nurses, as they are what make the hospital more than a brick and mortar structure.

Commissioner Kirk Kirkpatrick said measures as drastic as removing the board would take too long and impede the process of getting the hospital back on its feet.

“Any actions we took would be a lengthy process — far more lengthy than what’s going on right now,” he said.

Commissioner Chairman Larry Ammons said it’s imperative the board have a spirit of cooperation.

“We have to continue to pull together. The main thing to remember is to concentrate on the main thing, not superfluous issues that detract us from getting the hospital back to full capacity,” he said.