Severe staffing shortages at Madera (Calif.) Community Hospital are forcing permanent closure sooner than expected, according to a report from ABC 30 Action News.
The hospital had been working on an affiliation agreement with Trinity Health earlier this year, but the deal fell through because Trinity didn't accept the conditions set forth by California Attorney General Rob Bonta. Madera originally planned to file for bankruptcy and cease operations in its hospital Jan. 3. Clinics were due to close by Jan. 10.
However, staff began finding other jobs after Madera announced the impending closure, leaving the hospital without enough staff to continue operations. Labor and delivery services ended Dec. 28, and the hospital has begun transferring patients to other facilities. The emergency room is expected to close Dec. 30. Some services, such as radiology and outpatient surgery, will continue until Jan. 3.
The hospital reported $2.2 million in losses last year, according to the Fresno Bee.