Local Physicians Oppose Saint Clare's Plans to Close Inpatient Services

Local physicians and residents are opposing plans by Saint Clare's Hospital in Sussex, N.J., to convert the 106-bed hospital into an emergency and outpatient center, according to a New Jersey Herald report.

Changing the hospital into an emergency and outpatient center would mean the closure of most of the hospital's surgical and acute-care services. Twelve local physicians wrote an open letter asking people to send letters to Gov. Chris Christie and Department of Health and Senior Services Commissioner Mary E. O'Dowd to protest the hospital's plans. A public hearing on Saint Clare's certificate of need application for the conversion is expected to occur in early May.

The planned move from inpatient to outpatient services is motivated by financial difficulties and low patient volume. The hospital sees an average of 12 patients a day.

Saint Clare's Health System affiliated with Englewood, Colo.-based Catholic Health Initiatives in 2008 but is now in negotiations to transfer ownership to St. Louis-based Ascension Health Care Network.

More Articles on Hospital Service Closures:

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Closes Floor Weeks After Layoffs
Benson Hospital in Arizona to Close Walk-in Clinic After 18 Months

Cheboygan Memorial Hospital Shuts Down After McLaren Sale Halts

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