Three Newark-Area Hospitals May Switch to Offering Only Outpatient Services
From NJ Spotlight, March 3, 2015
A state-ordered report has recommended dropping inpatient services at three of the five Newark-area hospitals, turning them into ambulatory care centers.
If the plan is adopted, many city residents would live farther from the nearest hospital — and some healthcare workers could be out of a job.
East Orange General Hospital, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Saint Michael’s Medical Center would become ambulatory care centers, providing emergency and outpatient services but not inpatient services, under Navigant Consulting’s recommendations released yesterday….
Officials with the Health Professionals and Allied Employees (HPAE), the union representing University Hospital workers, as well as others in the coalition opposed to the Saint Michael’s sale, praised the Naviagant analysis but questioned how the recommendations would be implemented.
HPAE President Ann Twomey said the report makes clear that the hospitals must collaborate, not compete, to meet community needs.“What is unclear is whether and how this report will be implemented as policy – and whether New Jersey will make the necessary investments to appropriately implement these proposals for the betterment of our residents without unnecessary disruption,” she said, adding that the union will advocate for both community members and workers to have a voice in any changes, as well as for transparency and accountability in the process….