Photo: WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — A framework to address healthcare gaps in Dorchester is being laid out following the closure of Carney Hospital.
Carney Hospital was forced to close in the fallout of a bankruptcy announcement from Steward Health Care. Since then, there have been ongoing talks about how it has impacted the community, what healthcare resources are in desperate need and what should be done.
Jessica lives in the area and said the closure has directly impacted her grandmother.
“Now having to look for different providers outside of Carney Hospital when she’s known her providers for years has been a little bit of a challenge for her,” said Jessica.
Members of the Dorchester Health Planning Working Group (DHPWG) has issued recommendations to Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey. They focused on five priority areas: site use, emergency services, primary care and coordination, behavioral health, and health-related social needs and social determinants of health.
“Their thoughtful recommendations will serve as a roadmap to creating equitable and financially sustainable access to health care for communities in Dorchester,” said Wu in a statement.
One of DHPWG’s recommendations was adding additional capacity at community health centers, which Jessica said she supports.
“I think community health centers would be great. I also think urgent care centers around this community would be good,” said Jessica. “I work at a hospital, so sometimes people come to the hospital for things that they could go to urgent care for or things like that.”
WBZ NewsRadio’s James Rojas (@JamesRojasMMJ) reports.