Kenansville hospice closure part of broader Eastern NC healthcare transition

KENANSVILLE — ECU Health will permanently close its Home Health and Hospice office in Kenansville on May 1, according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification  filing submitted April 7.

The closure is part of a broader transition tied to ECU Health’s planned sale of its home health and hospice division to Liberty Home Care and Hospice, an agreement first announced in March and pending approval from the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office.

Under the agreement, Liberty is expected to assume operations across multiple sites, including home health offices in Kenansville, Greenville, Windsor, and Washington hospice offices in Kenansville, Greenville, Ahoskie and the Service League of Greenville Hospice House.

ECU Health officials cited ongoing financial pressures in rural healthcare — including shrinking reimbursement rates — as a key factor in the decision, stating the transition is intended to preserve access to essential home-based and end-of-life care.

“This decision was made with sustainability and continuation of services at the forefront. Liberty Home Care and Hospice brings the scale, expertise and mission driven focus needed to help ensure uninterrupted high quality home health and hospice care for patients and families who depend on these services,” said Brian Floyd, ECU Health chief operating officer.

Leadership from both organizations indicated that patient services are expected to continue without interruption during the transition.

“We are deeply committed to ensuring patients and families continue to receive the compassionate, high quality home health and hospice services they rely on, delivered by care teams who understand this community,” said Donna Turlington, Liberty Home Care and Hospice president. “We look forward to supporting a smooth transition and preserving access to these essential services for years to come.”

The Kenansville closure is expected to affect 37 employees, with additional workforce impacts reported in Beaufort, Bertie, Hertford and Pitt counties under the same WARN notice.

ECU Health stated that affected employees may have opportunities for reassignment or transition support, with resources being provided to assist staff through the change.

Both ECU Health and Liberty Home Care and Hospice report they are coordinating closely to ensure continuity in patient care, scheduling, and communication throughout the transition process.