Massachusetts residents are facing a healthcare crisis as Carney Hospital and Nashoba Valley Medical Center prepare to close, leaving many without critical medical services.
At a Glance
- Two Massachusetts hospitals, Carney Hospital in Dorchester and Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer, are scheduled to close this weekend.
- Steward Health Care, the owner, is selling its hospitals nationwide after declaring bankruptcy, and no new operators have emerged for these two hospitals.
- Residents and healthcare workers rallied outside the Massachusetts State House to urge state officials to save the hospitals.
- The closures will significantly impact healthcare access, with the nearest hospitals being about 30 minutes away.
- The Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association is preparing for the increased patient load at other facilities.
Scheduled Hospital Closures
Carney Hospital in Dorchester and Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer are set to close this weekend, a move that has caused significant concern among Massachusetts residents and healthcare professionals. These closures come as Steward Health Care, the owner of both hospitals, declared bankruptcy and no new operators have been found.
Steward Health Care’s financial struggles have led to the sale of its hospitals nationwide. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey announced plans to preserve five other former Steward hospitals but found no takers for Carney and Nashoba Valley. This has left residents and healthcare workers in a state of uncertainty. Many rallied outside the Massachusetts State House, urging state officials to intervene and keep the hospitals open.
Impact on Community and Emergency Services
Closing these hospitals will have a profound impact on healthcare access, with the nearest alternative hospitals approximately 30 minutes away. This concern is particularly acute for rural communities that have limited emergency services. Massachusetts State Sen. Jamie Eldridge has voiced his frustration and concern about the ramifications of these closures. The impact on local emergency services has been described as “devastating.”
“People are gonna die. And that’s not being dramatic,” Robert Pontbriand, the town manager, warned about the increased transport times for emergency services. He emphasized the severe risks posed to lives due to longer ambulance rides to distant hospitals.
Efforts to Mitigate Impact and Future Prospects
The Healey administration is working to ensure continued healthcare access and employment opportunities for staff by coordinating with other hospitals, fire chiefs, and veterans’ services. Additionally, the Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association is preparing for the increased patient load at other facilities. There’s still hope that Carney and Nashoba Valley could reopen in the future, as they will remain licensed for months.
Sen. Eldridge commented, “It is possible to reopen both hospitals after Saturday. So I think that’s where we’re focusing our energies now,” highlighting efforts to find potential new operators.
Meanwhile, state officials are pushing for a 120-day notice period before hospital closures to buy time for finding new operators. Nashoba Valley Medical Center is scheduled to close on August 31, with all services operational until then. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health concluded that both hospitals provide “essential services” necessary for preserving access and health status in their areas.
The closing of Carney Hospital and Nashoba Valley Medical Center stands as a significant blow to Massachusetts’ healthcare system. As the state grapples with finding solutions, the impact on patient care and emergency services is undeniable. The ongoing efforts by state officials and healthcare advocates aim to mitigate the crisis and ensure that these essential services remain accessible to all in need.
