Bladen County Hospital included in Cape Fear Valley Staffing Cuts

Workforce reduction raises concerns over rural healthcare access in Bladen and Columbus counties

By Coastal Carolina News Staff Writer

Elizabethtown, NC — Cape Fear Valley Health has confirmed that Bladen County Hospital is among the facilities affected by a systemwide workforce reduction eliminating roughly 200 positions, including 138 currently filled roles. The cuts span the health system hospitals, clinics, and support services, with officials citing declining federal reimbursements and rising care costs.

Bladen County Hospital, located at 501 South Poplar Street in Elizabethtown, serves as a primary care anchor for rural communities in both Bladen and neighboring Columbus County. Any staffing reduction at the facility carries regional implications, particularly for emergency response, inpatient capacity, and specialty care availability.

Many Columbus County residents rely on Bladen County Hospital for emergency treatment, OB/GYN services, and weekend urgent care, making the workforce changes a matter of public interest across county lines.

Cape Fear Valley Health operates several outpatient practices in Bladen County, including Bladen ExpressCare on East Dunham Street and multiple Bladen Medical Associates locations in Elizabethtown, Dublin, Clarkton, and White Lake. The health system has not released a breakdown identifying which clinics, if any, will see position cuts. Only Bladen County Hospital has been specifically named as an affected site.

The reduction comes at a time when rural healthcare access remains strained across southeastern North Carolina.

Fewer staffed positions can lead to longer emergency department wait times, reduced clinic hours, and increased pressure on EMS agencies that already transport patients significant distances for specialized care. Bladen County Hospital is one of the few full‑service facilities within a thirty to 40 minute radius for many residents, making the staffing changes a notable development for local families, employers, and first responders.

Cape Fear Valley Health has not indicated when the eliminated positions will be phased out or whether additional adjustments may follow.

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