Taylor Hospital officially closed its doors on Saturday, April 26, at 8 AM.
It was a somber day Friday, the day before. It was the last official full day for the hospital in Ridley Park as empty beds were loaded onto a truck, reports CBS News Philadelphia.
A Taylor Hospital employee says he’s sorry it came to this.
“It’s hard because we’re one big family,” said David Moore, a Taylor Hospital dietary aide. “So it’s kind of hard to say goodbye yesterday, but it is what it is. We tried to save it many times, but we just couldn’t do it. We’re bankrupt, so nobody wants to buy us.”
Crozer Chester Medical Center closes for good Friday, May 2.
Staff members at Crozer Chester Medical Center tried to work in last-minute appointments for patients ahead of Friday’s closure, reports Bryanna Gallagher for 6abc.
“It’s going to be really hard to say goodbye. They’ve become your family,” said patient Caroline Smeltzer.
She’s been cancer-free and a patient at Crozer for three years. She now has to look for a new oncologist to receive her three-month checkups.
“They’re great people; I feel really sad for them because I don’t know where they are going to go; they truly deserve the best. They are gems,” said Smeltzer.
Government response
Delaware County officials have filed an objection to the crozer Health closings, claiming that Prospect Medical Holdings violated a local law requiring healthcare companies to provide a plan for closure at least 180 days in advance, writes Molly VcVety for Delaware Online.
“This development places Delaware County’s most vulnerable – patients, families, and frontline healthcare workers- in a precarious position,” Delaware County officials said in a statement. “It reflects years of mismanagement, financial exploitation, and disregard for public health and community well-being.”
At the same time, some Pennsylvania legislators are blaming a for-profit health system for the Crozer Health closings, as well as the loss of jobs and hospital access, reports Matt Coughlin for KWY Newsradio.
State Sen. John Kane has introduced a bill prohibiting for-profit entities like Prospect Medical Holdings from owning hospitals and healthcare systems in Pennsylvania.
“There is no hospital within a 35-minute ride from Crozer Chester Hospital and Taylor,” said Kane. “I can assure you there are people whose lives are going to be lost because of the shutdown of this hospital.”
The bill has yet to reach the state Senate floor for a vote.
State Rep. Leanne Krueger said House Democrats have been drafting similar legislation.
Burn Center
Included in the Crozer Health closings was the Crozer-Chester Nathan Speare Regional Burn Treatment Center, recognized as one of the top providers in the nation for treating severe burns.
It’s cared for thousands of patients over the years.
The Treatment Center at Crozer-Chester Medical Center received international acclaim for its holistic burn care expertise. It was the only burn facility in the suburban Philadelphia region that provided comprehensive treatment for patients of all ages.
The center served over 10,000 patients since 1973, and services included everything from emergency and intensive care to rehabilitation and outpatient services.
Hospital systems around the region, including ChristianaCare, have sent burn victims to Crozer-Chester for years.
“While the loss of Crozer Health’s burn treatment program will be felt in the community, there are other burn programs in the region,” a ChristianaCare spokesperson said.
ChristianaCare’s Chief Operating Officer Ric Cuming said that the hospital system is working closely with Pennsylvania state and county officials to assist with the recent vacuum in healthcare needs.
ChristianaCare is looking into taking some Crozer patients to provide continuity of care and integrating some of the Crozer graduate medical education and residencies into its programs.
Crozer workers
There are now thousands of healthcare workers who will be looking for new jobs. Main Line Health is holding a resume drop on Tuesday, April 29, from 1 to 3 PM at Riddle Hospital. Job seekers will also have a chance to talk to someone from the recruitment team.
The PA Department of Labor & Industry’s Rapid Response Team will host several virtual Rapid Response Information Meetings to help laid off workers, writes Max Bennett for Patch..
The team will offer 10 live, virtual meetings lasting 90 minutes, held Wednesday, April 30, through Friday, May 9.
Topics will include job search assistance, filing for unemployment benefits, and health insurance information.
There will also be an in-person job fair on Tuesday, May 13, from 10 AM to 2 PM at Subaru Park in Chester to connect affected workers with employers, resources, and support.
“Our Rapid Response team has been in daily contact with Crozer Health to ensure we can quickly mobilize support for impacted workers, and we are working around the clock to help affected workers get connected with meaningful re-employment opportunities, reaffirming the Shapiro Administration’s unwavering commitment to protecting Pennsylvanians, especially during these difficult times,” said PA Labor & Industry Secretary Nancy A. Walker.
Impacted workers are also encouraged to text healthjobs to 888777 and add their email to receive updates from Delaware County to help in their job search.
Find out more at CBS News Philadelphia, Delaware Online. Patch, 6abc, and KYW Newsradio.
