Lawrence Memorial Hospital of Medford (Mass.), part of MelroseWakefield Healthcare, also in Medford, it losing its emergency department, according to the Boston Business Journal.
MelroseWakefield told hospital employees it will close the ED but expand hours at Lawrence Memorial Hospital Urgent Care in Medford, by an additional 36 hours a week, the report stated. Hospital officials attributed the decision to low patient volume at the satellite emergency facility and a need to expand urgent care services.
"With seven other emergency departments within the greater vicinity, the Lawrence Memorial Hospital satellite emergency facility in fiscal year 2018 was the least-used emergency site in the state," MelroseWakefield Healthcare wrote in its letter to employees. "In addition, most of the few patients who do come to us would be more appropriately treated in an urgent care setting."
A hospital spokesperson told the Boston Business Journal no layoffs are expected due to the emergency department closure.