Baton Rouge (La.) General has announced it will close the emergency department at its Mid City campus within the next 60 days as part of a "clinical redesign of services."
Baton Rouge General President and CEO Mark Slyter assured the community no stone was left unturned when the hospital was seeking solutions to keep the Mid City ED open.
"Though we are closing the Mid City ER doors, the care and commitment to our Mid City community remains strong," Mr. Slyter said. "We look forward to continuing to work with the State as well as community providers to utilize our Mid City campus in a manner that preserves our vital community asset."
Despite Mr. Slyter's optimism, once the Mid City ED closes, the next two closest ED options — Lane Regional Medical Center in Zachary, La., and Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge, La. —are both roughly 30 minutes away, according to a report from The Advocate.
State Sen. Yvonne Dorsey-Colomb, whose district the Baton Rouge General-Mid City hospital is located within, criticized Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration for reneging on a promise made over the summer to come up with enough money to keep the Mid City ED open.
"I'm highly offended by the administration, by the way they have handled this and all of healthcare," Sen. Yvonne Dorsey-Colomb told The Advocate.
State officials have vowed to increase urgent care facilities in the area to serve area individuals with non-life threatening illnesses and injuries, according to the report.
More articles on facility closures:
Ingalls Memorial Hospital cuts 80 jobs, plans to close child care center
North Alabama Regional Hospital set to close later this year
Health Policy Commission eyes larger role in Massachusetts hospital closures