Ombudsman reiterates opponents’ concerns that “the Nashoba closure is devastating to the community and patients who rely on this hospital and the ED.”
Calls for all parties and the state to delay closure of ED on Saturday and is “Hopeful that the Commonwealth arrives at a solution to reopen the hospital.”
On Monday, the court-appointed Ombudsman for Nashoba Valley Medical Center filed a report (click here) on the upcoming closure of Nashoba Valley Medical Center, which echoed and underscored the concerns raised by opponents to the closure, which were voiced at the recent DPH public hearing on the closure attended by more than 500 residents, caregivers, first responders and public officials. The report highlights the devastating impact the closure of the hospital, specifically its emergency department, would have on the communities served by the hospital and calls for all parties to take action to delay the closure of the hospital, slated for Saturday, Aug. 31st, to allow more time for alternative solutions to the closure to be explored.
This paragraph on page 4 of the report summaries the findings:
I am cognizant of the myriad of issues in these cases and the various stakeholders’ desires to maximize their recoveries. Notwithstanding, the Nashoba closure is devastating to the community and the patients who rely on this hospital and the ED. The patient population served by Nashoba played no role in the decisions that ultimately lead to the closure of Nashoba. While the Ombudsman is hopeful that the Commonwealth arrives at a solution to reopen the hospital in the coming months, the Ombudsman requests that all parties carefully consider the inevitable outcomes of this expedited closure on the most vulnerable of the community and come together to provide for a basic level of interim services while the affected community adjusts to the closure of
Nashoba.
The MNA appreciates the Ombudsman’s recommendations, as it demonstrates the need for immediate action by the state to take aggressive action to protect the community, while also providing space for all parties to secure a qualified bidder and new operator to preserve this vital community asset.
The report comes as community members and advocates for both Carney Hospital and Nashoba Valley Medical Center will be rallying at the State House tomorrow to urge the Governor and state leaders to take all necessary steps to save these hospitals.
