MONTGOMERY (AP) — A statewide trauma system designed to save hundreds of lives each year is being stymied by the reluctance of four hospitals in Montgomery and Dothan to join the voluntary program, and officials say that’s putting lives in the region at risk.

Organizers say the four largest hospitals in the region — Baptist Medical Center South and Jackson Hospital in Montgomery, and Flowers Hospital and Southeast Alabama Medical Center in Dothan — have been holding up completion of the statewide network, with some doctors at those hospitals concerned it will mean being on call more often and working more nights and weekends.

“At this point their physicians have not chosen to participate, and each hospital has conditioned their involvement on the other hospital doing certain things,” said Joe Acker, director of BREMSS.

“So it’s almost a standoff between the hospitals in Dothan and a standoff between the hospitals in Montgomery.”