ROCKPORT — The Coastal Healthcare Alliance Board recently voted to enter into a study period to determine the most efficient and patient centered plan forward for CHA affiliated long-term care and nursing facilities in Knox County.

In order to obtain this information, Coastal Healthcare Alliance has formed a partnership with Sandy River, a highly respected Maine based senior care development firm, according to Pen Bay Medical Center and Waldo County General Hospital, in a news release. Sandy River is currently working with MaineHealth on several nursing care projects.

“Pen Bay Medical Center and Waldo County General Hospital are committed to senior services in the region, and the planning process initiated by the regional board overseeing them is aimed at addressing the facilities and operational challenges inherent in the long-term care field,” said the hospitals.

“This initiative is in the very early stages. Completion of the exploratory process will take several months,” said the organization. “Coastal Healthcare Alliance will provide updates as they are available and will provide opportunities for the community and colleagues to review any plan and provide feedback in the upcoming months.”

“The population of Knox County is the oldest in the nation, and we are pleased to be in a position to develop a plan to secure this vital service for years to come,” said Mark Fourre, president of Pen Bay and Waldo County General Hospital.