BY THOR JOURGENSEN
LYNN — State health officials’ declaration on Friday that Union Hospital’s services “are necessary for preserving access and health status” drew quick and jubilant reactions from local elected officials.
“Clearly, we’ve been able to articulate how important the hospital is to our community. That message was heard,” said state Sen. Thomas M. McGee.
State Rep. Brendan Crighton said “the battle is not over” in the fight to keep Union Hospital open, but called the state Department of Public Health letter to Partners HealthCare/North Medical Center’s attorney a positive first step.
“We are obviously very pleased by the decision of the Department of Public Health. It is a testament to years of advocacy,” said Crighton.
State Public Health Department officials in the three-page letter directed the company to prepare a plan “…that details how access to the services provided at its Union Hospital campus will be maintained for the residents of the service area.”
The letter references the Jan. 7 City Hall hearing attended by Lynn residents and elected officials who urged health officials to reject Partners HealthCare/NSMC’s proposal to close the Lynnfield Street hospital complex in three years as part of a plan to shift medical services to Salem Hospital.
“Clearly, there was a positive impact made upon the department by residents of Lynn,” City Council President Daniel Cahill said Friday, adding, “We’ve got the attention of the people who are going to make this decision.”
Partners/NSMC did not offer immediate comment Friday on the DPH letter.
Local elected officials, including McGee, Crighton, and state Rep. Robert Fennell, have fought plans to close Union since fall 2013 when Partners/NSMC announced it wanted to shift surgical beds now at Union to Salem.
In June, 2015, the company updated that plan with North Shore Medical Center President Robert Norton confirming inpatient services in the Lynnfield Street hospital will be transferred to Salem Hospital.
At that time, Norton said consolidation “is in the best long-term interests of the communities we serve,” but DPH, in its letter, outlines the steps Partners/NSMC must take in its “proposed closure of services” plan for Union.
The letter requires Partners/NSMC within 15 days, to detail the extent to which services now offered at Union Hospital are used; it must provide information on how it plans to replace those services and “travel times to alternative service delivery sites.”
“It seems DPH agrees the services are essential,” Crighton said.
Closing opponents argue Union Hospital needs emergency care and other services to prevent adding more minutes to an ambulance ride to Salem Hospital. Partners/NSMC says important service it provides, including cardiac care, are already located in Salem.
Responding to emergency care concerns raised by opponents at the Jan. 7 hearing, DPH’s letter also asks Partners — through its attorney — to detail plans “…to ensure the availability of emergency department services to the residents of Lynn and the surrounding towns.”
“Your plan must address the concerns raised at the public hearing, including but not limited to the availability of emergency services in Lynn and to the surrounding municipalities…” stated the letter.
McGee said residents and elected officials must maintain “a united fight” against Union’s closing as state officials continue to review plans for the hospital’s future.
Thor Jourgensen can be reached at [email protected].
