The Powell Valley Hospital has had to make some hard decisions recently to ensure financial stability, most notably with its closure of the oncology department and the Cody Clinic. 

Losing the oncology department especially has led to disappointed letters from at least two of our readers — it’s always tough to lose services you rely upon, especially when you’re dealing with cancer. 

However, there’s also plenty of good news emanating out from Powell Valley Healthcare, which has begun to stabilize its financial situation thanks to a number of changes. 

And the benefits are going beyond the financial — last week Powell Valley Hospital District board members agreed to expand the scope of the in-design operating room renovation to add entrance and waiting space areas in the back of the building to allow surgical patients a much shorter walk to the waiting area, which will be separated from the main area and thus allow more privacy for patients and staff to go into more detail on planned surgical procedures. 

It expands the scope and the cost of the project, which was already planned at more than $1.5 million, but board members unanimously determined it was worth it for patients, and at the recommendation of employees. 

As board member R.J. Kost said, the district money is meant for building expenses, so if they hold onto more of the money or only do part of a project, are they really serving the best interests of the employees and patients? 

I think the board members made the right decision in using the money for something that should improve the patient experience — as the full OR remodel project aims to do — and allows staff better ability to do what they do best — care for the community. 

I’m all for fiscal responsibility, but public boards should always think as the hospital district board clearly does — only enough taxpayer dollars as necessary to pay for unexpected costs should be held onto, with the rest used to further many of those same people whose taxes go to help fund the hospital district.