Newman Regional Health (NRH) and Coffey Health System (CHS) in the US have signed a shared services agreement intended to enhance access to speciality care in rural areas.

The alliance will initially focus on general surgery services, with both firms planning to broaden speciality offerings according to the requirements of their communities.

It is part of a wider trend in rural America, where hospitals are increasingly joining forces to improve access to healthcare and maintain the sustainability of local facilities.

Under the agreement, speciality coverage, especially in orthopaedics, will expand through coordinated scheduling and the sharing of clinical knowledge.

The existing relationship between NRH and LMH Health OrthoKansas is expected to help provide residents of Coffey County with improved access to orthopaedic care in the future.

While orthopaedic services are already available at NRH, reintroducing these services at Coffey County Hospital is still under development.

CHS CEO Stacy Augustyn said: “Shared services provide a sustainable framework for expanding access, stabilising rural workforce needs, and improving financial viability—all while preserving the local identity and autonomy of each hospital.

“For our patients, this means general surgery at Coffey County Hospital with the people you know and trust.”

Clinicians from both health systems view the shared services agreement as a crucial step in reinforcing the local healthcare safety net.

Both NRH and CHS aim to build a long-term partnership that supports the health and well-being of the communities served by them.

NRH CEO Cathy Pimple said: “Shared services allow rural hospitals to remain strong, responsive, and deeply connected to the people we serve.

“This is about doing what is right for patients—leveraging each organisation’s strengths, aligning resources, and making speciality care more accessible for families throughout our region.”