“We are relieved to see that a deal has been reached to temporarily preserve access to desperately needed healthcare services provided by the hospitals owned by Steward Healthcare, as the loss of any hospital or service at this time would be devastating for the vulnerable communities served by these facilities,” said Katie Murphy, president of the Massachusetts Nurses Association, which represent more than 3,000 registered nurses and health care professionals working in eight of Steward’s nine acute care hospitals in Massachusetts.“While we appreciate this temporary reprieve, decisions must be made in the coming weeks to ensure the orderly transition of Steward facilities so that these communities continue to receive the care they need and that surrounding hospitals are not overwhelmed by the prospect of potential closures. The MNA has and will continue to work with all stakeholders to develop a plan to address this current crisis, while also creating appropriate processes and oversight to ensure a safer, more equitable health care system for future generations.”
The MNA currently represents nurses and other healthcare professionals for collective bargaining at Steward-owned Carney Hospital, Good Samaritan Medical Center in Brockton, Holy Family Hospital in Haverhill, Holy Family Hospital in Methuen, Morton Hospital in Taunton, Nashoba Valley Hospital in Ayer, Norwood Hospital and St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Brighton.
