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WASHINGTON FIGHTS TO KEEP OBSTETRICS UNIT
OPEN AT HOSPITAL
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Washington |
HARRISBURG, April 5
– State Senator LeAnna M. Washington
(D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) said today she
will urge officials at Chestnut Hill
Hospital to “table discussions” that may
lead to the closing of the obstetrics
program at the facility.
“I do not want to see women struggling to
find a delivery room to have their babies,”
Washington said. “This possible closing will
cause serious access to care problems,
especially for women who are high-risk.
“These discussions sound like the first
steps to formally announcing the closing of
the maternity ward,” Washington said. “I
hope this is not the case, and I am
concerned that any further movement in this
direction will have a deleterious impact on
women in this community.
“We are already suffering from the closing
of several other hospitals in the region,”
Washington continued. “We are clearly
facing a severe healthcare crisis.”
Washington sent a letter to M. Brooks Turkel,
chief executive officer of the Chestnut Hill
Health System, requesting a meeting with
hospital officials and members of the
Southeastern Pennsylvania Obstetrical Task
Force to discuss alternatives and possible
solutions before making a final decision.
“It is my hope that the hospital will agree
to meet so that advocates and consumers can
have an opportunity to have their concerns
heard,” Washington said. “This possible
closing has wide ranging implications,
especially as it pertains to the health and
well-being of residents. This is a very
serious concern for me.” |
