Atlanta Medical Heart Downtown is closing, says Wellstar, staff had no concept
Workers inform FOX 5 they’d no concept Wellstar deliberate to close down Atlanta Medical Heart, which is able to shut its doorways by fall. This can be a growing story.
ATLANTA – Atlanta Medical Heart Downtown (AMC) will stop operations earlier than the top of the yr, officers verify.
Wellstar Well being System introduced their intention to shut AMC on November 1.
“For a number of years, Wellstar has continued to spend money on and function AMC with vital losses to offer extra time to associate on a inventive, long-term, sustainable resolution for the hospital’s future,” stated CEO Candice L. Saunders. “After an exhaustive seek for an answer that will help the healthcare wants of the neighborhood, we’re disenchanted {that a} sustainable resolution at AMC has not emerged.”
Prior to now six years of working the hospital, Wellstar says they’ve invested greater than $350 million. Officers added that in simply the final 12 months, the hospital has misplaced greater than $107 million.
They credit score the pandemic, rising inflation, and “intense monetary headwinds” for making the problems on the hospital harder to repair.
“We notice this information impacts the lives of our workforce members and the sufferers we serve in very private and vital methods,” stated Saunders. ‘We’re deeply grateful to the devoted workforce at AMC who’ve lengthy served our communities with compassion and excellence.”
It is unclear what is going to occur to docs, nurses and different employees on the hospital, however in a letter to staff, Wellstar says they’re “dedicated to supporting every of our AMC workforce members and physicians via this transition, together with extending job gives to lots of our AMC workforce members at different Wellstar amenities.”
In addition they say they are going to be offering help “from Human Assets and Worker Help Program.”
Based on 2019 tax filings, AMC employed roughly 2,800 individuals.
Wellstar Atlanta Medical Heart Downtown in Atlanta (FOX 5).
In response to the AMC announcement, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens despatched a letter to Wellstar noting the town was “blindsided.”
“This resolution could have deep and reverberating penalties for the half 1,000,000 residents of Atlanta and the lots of of hundreds of holiday makers and commuters to our metropolis every day,” Mayor Dickens wrote within the letter. “The Metropolis of Atlanta obtained no advance discover of this resolution and had no alternative to interact with you to grasp or assist mitigate the elements resulting in this closure. I require instant details about your organization’s plans, what you’re doing to mitigate the big well being and financial impacts the closure could have on our neighborhood, plans for the multi-building campus as soon as operations stop, and the way you can be supporting the impacted personnel.”
Gov. Brian Kemp’s Workplace issued the next assertion on the closure:
“The governor shares the issues of the neighborhood on the affect it will have. Different native hospitals and healthcare suppliers are in energetic talks on how this closure will shift their wants and companies. As they work to make the suitable changes, Governor Kemp will proceed to construct on the coverage improvements launched over the previous 4 years which have grown entry to high quality healthcare whereas bringing down prices for Georgians throughout the state.”
With Wellstar’s closure, Grady Memorial Hospital would be the sole stage one trauma heart in Atlanta.
Grady Well being System launched an announcement, saying partially “there might be dangerous penalties on healthcare entry for the individuals of metro Atlanta and hospitals throughout the area.”
“Grady Well being System is extraordinarily disenchanted in Wellstar’s resolution to shut Atlanta Medical Heart (AMC), which serves a predominantly minority and underserved neighborhood. In April, Wellstar made the choice to shut the AMC South location with the caveat that they might stay dedicated to serving the neighborhood. Closing its second hospital in lower than six months could have a devastating affect on sufferers, staff, and the Southeast area. Additional, by not having a transition plan and referral mechanism for its sufferers, there might be dangerous penalties on healthcare entry for the individuals of metro Atlanta and hospitals throughout the area.
“As a not-for-profit well being system, Wellstar’s mission was to reinforce the well being and well-being of each member of the neighborhood, however they’ve clearly prioritized earnings over individuals leaving 460 licensed hospital beds in the neighborhood empty and greater than 120 sufferers per day having to hunt emergency care elsewhere.
“Grady is basically the one true security web in Georgia, and it runs over capability every day, and this resolution by Wellstar to desert the neighborhood will additional pressure our operations, significantly our emergency room, as extra sufferers will current with medical wants. We’ve seen a major improve in emergency room visits since AMC South closed, which might be additional exacerbated as soon as the downtown AMC location is closed.
“Grady’s dedication to serving our neighborhood with excellence will stay unchanged as we stand true in our mission to reinforce the well being and well-being of each affected person we serve. Grady is exploring all authorized choices accessible to guard our sufferers, staff, and this whole area.”
