UPMC to close hospital in 2020

Pittsburgh-based UPMC will close its hospital in Sunbury, Pa., on March 31, 2020, according to The Daily Item.

The health system cited dwindling patient volume as one of the reasons it is closing UPMC Susquehanna Sunbury.

"This decision was made with careful consideration and analysis of the use of hospital services in the region,"  UPMC Susquehanna President Steven Johnson said, according to The Daily Item. "According to market data, patients are utilizing facilities other than UPMC Susquehanna Sunbury for their care. UPMC must prudently examine opportunities to integrate and consolidate functions balanced against the needs of the community."

The hospital, previously named Sunbury Community Hospital, has been open for nearly 125 years. Jody Ocker, Sunbury city administrator, said she's concerned local residents won't have access to care after the hospital closes.

"I'm very concerned about our residents' access to care," she told TV station WNEP. "We have people that are getting around on their electric scooters and their bicycles. They don't have access to reliable transportation."

About 150 people will lose their jobs when UPMC Susquehanna Sunbury closes, according to WNEP. UPMC said it will try to relocate employees to other hospitals in the area.

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