The agreement, approved by Bedford City Council, ends a nearly three-year legal dispute over University Hospital’s decision to end inpatient, surgery and emergency services at the hospital in August 2022.
The health system also ended inpatient, surgical and emergency services at UH Richmond Medical Center in Richmond Heights, Ohio.
Staffing shortages created “unprecedented challenges” for University Hospitals, which consolidated services to nearby facilities to help the system “staff more efficiently during this critical time,” COO Paul Hinchey, MD, said in a news release announcing the closure.
The Bedford property transfer will allow another provider to establish a presence in Bedford, according to the report. Bedford Mayor Stan Koci, who opposed the closure due to concerns about creating a medical desert in underserved communities, called the resolution a victory for residents.
“While we think litigation was counterproductive and disagree with the city’s characterization of some of the facts, we are pleased this situation has been resolved and look forward to continuing to provide care for the residents of Bedford and all of Northeast Ohio for years to come,” a spokesperson for University Hospitals said in a statement provided to Becker’s.
The City of Bedford did not respond to Becker’s request for comment.
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