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Glen Cove Hospital Faces Downsizing

Written by Eric Anderson  |  02. August 2013

Glen Cove Hospital will be cutting back its services significantly, if recent changes proposed by North Shore-LIJ follow through. The hospital will be getting rid of its psychiatric care unit, the new brain injury unit, intensive care unit and all in-patient beds.

Additionally, the hospital will be firing 1,200 employees. According to News 12, Assemblyman Michael Montesano said that they will be keeping the emergency room, medical offices, some rehabilitation units and a family practice.

The news came as a shock to many residents in the area. Many gathered on Friday to rally to save the services being cut at the hospital. Mayor Ralph Suozzi urged Glen Cove residents to oppose the changes, which were originally proposed by North Shore-LIJ, on Tuesday. North Shore-LIJ maintains the hospital.

“While I recognize that NSLIJ is making a business decision based on how healthcare is evolving and economic realities, I strongly feel that some of the changes that are being contemplated must be reconsidered,” Suozzi said in a statement on his Facebook page. He also set up an electronic petition for people to sign to help stop the changes.

Officials that proposed the changes claim that they will improve the hospital so that it can continue to serve the community in the midst of a changing healthcare industry. They added that operations at Glen Cove Hospital are currently unsustainable.

Suozzi and Montesano both expressed concern over what effect the changes will have on the local economy. Montesano claimed that local nursing homes and assisted living facilities may suffer greatly after the changes take effect. Suozzi, on the other hand, fears that the loss of 1,200 local employees will have a negative effect on local bar, restaurants and other establishments.

The changes would also include an expansion of the hospital’s ambulatory care system. North Shore-LIJ stated that they will find jobs for all of the employees being let go as a result of the cut-backs.

[Source: News 12]

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