Protest against Novant Health planned for this weekend

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WWAY-TV) — A local nonprofit plans to hold a protest this weekend outside Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center following recent hospital safety ratings.

The Five-Star Project, founded by retired physician Jon Martell, is organizing the demonstration and calling for greater transparency from Novant Health.

The protest comes after the hospital received its fourth “C” grade from the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade program. While the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently raised Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center’s overall rating from two to three stars, Martell said the improvements do not go far enough.

“They tell us, every year they tell us, ‘oh, well we got it under control, it’s gonna get better, just wait, you know the next report is gonna be better,’ and you know what, it doesn’t happen, we’re done waiting,” Martell said.

The protest is scheduled for Saturday outside New Hanover Regional Medical Center on 17th Street from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.