Cheshire Medical Center in Keene announced plans in September to close its 20-bed Farnum Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit at the end of October and eliminate 12 positions.
In a Sept. 25 statement reported by The Keene Sentinel and republished by NHPR Sept. 27, hospital President and CEO Dr. Joseph Perras said five unit employees had been laid off and most of its 39 workers reassigned. Seven administrative and leadership positions were also eliminated.
Perras said the unit would stop taking new patients, while those already receiving care could finish treatment. Outpatient rehabilitation would continue. He attributed the closure to low occupancy and operating costs.
The hospital said it was discussing patient transitions with other area hospitals offering inpatient rehabilitation. The September report did not identify those providers.
Source: Liora Engel, The Keene Sentinel, republished by NHPR, Sept. 27, 2026