Cleveland Clinic has announced it will close 211-bed Huron Hospital in East Cleveland within 90 days, according to a Plain Dealer news release.
The hospital is currently operating at roughly 50 percent of its capacity and has lost $77 million in the last decade, according to the Plain Dealer report.
The announcement created an outcry by city officials and community leaders who argue the closure will reduce access to emergency and trauma care for area communities.
Last November, the cities of Cleveland and East Cleveland sued Cleveland Clinic over its plans to close the trauma unit at Huron Hospital, but the cities withdrew the suit after reaching an agreement that included keeping level II trauma services at Huron open.
A statement from Mayor Frank G. Jackson's office suggests the city plans legal action to keep the hospital open. The statement reads:
Outpatient care will continue to be offered at the facility, which will be renamed Cleveland Clinic Huron Community Health Center, according to a hospital statement.
Delos M. Cosgrove, MD, president and CEO of Cleveland Clinic defended the decision, saying Huron had "really outgrown its useful life," according to a New York Times report.
The hospital said it plans to relocate the 850 employees at Huron at other facilities within the Cleveland Clinic system.
Related Articles on Huron Hospital:
Cities Drop Lawsuit Against Cleveland Clinic For Closing Trauma Unit
Cleveland Clinic Delays Closure of Huron Hospital Trauma Center
Cleveland City Officials Question Logic Behind Cleveland Clinic Consolidation
The hospital is currently operating at roughly 50 percent of its capacity and has lost $77 million in the last decade, according to the Plain Dealer report.
The announcement created an outcry by city officials and community leaders who argue the closure will reduce access to emergency and trauma care for area communities.
Last November, the cities of Cleveland and East Cleveland sued Cleveland Clinic over its plans to close the trauma unit at Huron Hospital, but the cities withdrew the suit after reaching an agreement that included keeping level II trauma services at Huron open.
A statement from Mayor Frank G. Jackson's office suggests the city plans legal action to keep the hospital open. The statement reads:
"In accordance with the settlement agreement between the Cleveland Clinic and the Cities of Cleveland and East Cleveland, we have been engaged in what we believed to have been good faith negotiations regarding the ramifications of the closing of a level two trauma center at Huron Hospital. At no time did the Cleveland Clinic disclose their intent to close the entire hospital. In fact, when asked directly about the future of Huron Hospital, Clinic Officials stated that there was no intention to close the emergency room, let alone the entire facility…
Cleveland Clinic has left the City with little choice but to resume legal action in an effort to protect the public health and safety interest of our community. We, along with the City of East Cleveland, will begin reaching out to all affected parties to determine next steps."
Outpatient care will continue to be offered at the facility, which will be renamed Cleveland Clinic Huron Community Health Center, according to a hospital statement.
Delos M. Cosgrove, MD, president and CEO of Cleveland Clinic defended the decision, saying Huron had "really outgrown its useful life," according to a New York Times report.
The hospital said it plans to relocate the 850 employees at Huron at other facilities within the Cleveland Clinic system.
Related Articles on Huron Hospital:
Cities Drop Lawsuit Against Cleveland Clinic For Closing Trauma Unit
Cleveland Clinic Delays Closure of Huron Hospital Trauma Center
Cleveland City Officials Question Logic Behind Cleveland Clinic Consolidation