Carney Hospital, a Steward Health Care hospital in Dorchester, is set to close by August 31, leaving the community without a vital healthcare resource. Stephen P. Wood, a nurse practitioner at the hospital, expressed concerns about the impact of the closure on vulnerable populations who rely on Carney Hospital for healthcare access, including Haitian immigrants. Wood emphasized the ethical implications of the closure, noting the lack of equitable access to healthcare in underserved areas like Dorchester, Roxbury, and Mattapan.
The closure of Carney Hospital will not only affect healthcare workers like physicians and nurses but also essential staff like emergency room techs and kitchen employees. Additionally, services offered at the hospital, such as mental health beds and pediatric care, will be unavailable after the closure, leaving patients in need with limited options.
Wood highlighted the lack of capacity in adjacent hospitals to accommodate the influx of patients who will now need to seek care elsewhere. The closure of Carney Hospital also means the relocation of an Emergency Medical Station and a paramedic truck, impacting emergency response times for the community.
Community members and hospital staff are outraged by the decision to close Carney Hospital, believing it will leave the community without a vital safety net. Despite the challenges posed by the closure, Wood remains hopeful that healthcare workers will be able to find new opportunities, but recognizes the devastating impact this closure will have on the community.
Source
Photo credit www.boston.com