The first meeting of a group formed to advise on the future of New Hanover Regional Medical Center, including a potential sale, is expected to take place Oct. 29.

The county and NHRMC announced Wednesday that the NHRMC and New Hanover County Partnership Advisory Group is scheduled to meet 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. for an orientation about the work the advisory group is expected to do over the coming year.

The meeting is open to the public and will be held in the Andre Mallette Training Center at the New Hanover County Government Center, 230 Government Center Drive, Suite 135.
 
"The Partnership Advisory Group was created to begin a research phase to understand what options exist for NHRMC, including a potential sale, other partnerships and models, and an evaluation of options for NHRMC to remain county owned," the news release stated. "The group includes nine community members, five physicians, and five members of NHRMC’s Board of Trustees. More information, including a biography of each member, can be found at NHRMCfuture.org."

After the first meeting, an upcoming meeting schedule will be set and shared publicly, the announcement stated.

"The Partnership Advisory Group will be charged with helping to develop priorities for the Request for Proposal (RFP), selecting a minimum of five health systems that will receive the RFP, evaluating the proposals received and examining the options for maintaining county ownership.

"The advisory group will then provide a recommendation on next steps to the Board of Commissioners and NHRMC Board of Trustees," the announcement stated.

A recommendation could include negotiating with one or more systems regarding proposals or pursuing other ways to support NHRMC as a county-owned hospital, according to the announcement.

The process is expected to take a year or longer, officials said.

To read more about the issue, pick up a copy of the Oct. 18 edition of the Greater Wilmington Business Journal, or check out the cover story about what's next in the hospital process.