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BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — With the Aug. 31 deadline approaching when Carney Hospital in Dorchester is scheduled to close, Boston's Emergency Medical Services Department is bracing for the change.
Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer is also scheduled to close.
Steward Health Care's bankruptcy is having a profound impact in many different ways including on EMS which has used Carney as its base of operations since 2002.
In a statement, EMS said losing Carney will likely mean longer travel times for patients and longer turnaround times for ambulances.
Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn said while there are questions that need to be answered, hopefully, the state can intervene and keep Carney open. "This is about ensuring our patients are treated with respect and dignity," he said.
EMS said there will be no lapse in its service, and it is ready for Carney's closure.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, Steward announced it has 'entered into definitive agreements' to sell some of its hospitals.
Lifespan is buying Morton and Saint Anne's hospitals.
Lawrence General Hospital is buying the two campuses of Holy Family Hospital in Methuen and Haverhill.
Boston Medical Center remains in final discussions to purchase Good Samaritan Medical Center and Saint Elizabeth's Medical Center.
Gov. Maura Healey announced two weeks ago that the state was going to 'seize control' of St. Elizabeth's through eminent domain.
WBZ NewsRadio's Madison Rogers (@MadisonWBZ) reports.
Here is the full statement from Boston EMT Spokesperson Caitlin McLaughlin: “With the closure of Carney Hospital, Boston EMS’s priority is to ensure all patients continue to receive the prehospital care that they need, regardless of where in the city services are required. Without this hospital, patients in need of emergency care will be transported to other Boston hospitals, some of which are already experiencing capacity issues. This is likely to result in increased transport times for patients traveling farther to the nearest hospital as well as prolonged turnaround times for ambulances. With some of the most highly skilled EMTs and Paramedics, we remain committed to clinical excellence and are prepared to adjust, adding resources, to continue to provide compassionate care and timely delivery of lifesaving care.”
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