Lansing, Mich.-based Sparrow Health System is planning to close a 16-bed emergency department at its St. Lawrence campus to eliminate duplicate services in the area, according to a Lansing State Journal report.
Behavioral health, hospice and surgical services will remain on the St. Lawrence campus, which is approximately two miles from Sparrow's main campus. The ED will close no sooner than May 1, according to hospital officials.
"We are choosing to invest in improving the Emergency Services facilities at Sparrow Hospital while eliminating duplication of such services within 1.8 miles of each other," the hospital said in a statement released Thursday.
As part of the ED closure, Sparrow plans to add 11 treatment areas to the 62 beds at the ER at its main campus. Additionally, a 10-bed urgent care will open on the main campus this spring.
However, even with a new urgent care, the Professional Employee Council of Sparrow Hospital does not think Sparrow's main campus has the capacity to "safely and swiftly treat" a higher patient volume, Jeff Breslin, RN, president of the council, said in a statement Thursday.
"This closure is a blow for health and safety in the Lansing area," Mr. Breslin said. "Sparrow has a legal obligation to negotiate with our union over the planned changes and we have started that process."