Crozer emergency departments ceased ambulance patient intake on Wednesday morning.

Emergency departments at Crozer-Chester Medical Center and Taylor Hospital in Delaware County ceased accepting ambulance patients on Wednesday morning, marking a significant move towards the closure of the largest health system in the area. This transition follows the recent bankruptcy court approval granted to Prospect Medical Holdings, the owner of Crozer, which aims to shutter these hospitals in a region already struggling with limited healthcare options, particularly for low-income residents who rely on accessible services.

The decision to halt admissions through emergency departments follows Monday’s announcement by Prospect that it could not find a buyer for Crozer, leaving the community’s healthcare landscape in jeopardy. The lack of immediate, alternative healthcare facilities poses a particularly grave concern for residents in Chester, where access to hospitals in Media, Darby, or Wilmington may not be feasible for all.

On Wednesday, the Crozer-Chester campus presented a stark scene: an absence of ambulance activity, with only sporadic patient arrivals. The quietude was intermittently disturbed by the sounds of construction and moving efforts, indicative of the impending closure. Trucks were seen hauling away hospital equipment, further underscoring the gravity of the situation as staff members began the clean-up process.

As plans to close continue, patient transfers to nearby hospitals have already commenced, with Main Line Health’s Riddle Hospital being prepared for an uptick in emergency room traffic. This facility is the closest alternative following Crozer’s shutdown. Other local hospitals, such as Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital in Darby and St. Francis Hospital in Wilmington, are also gearing up to accommodate additional patients that would have historically been directed to Crozer-Chester’s emergency services, which included the county’s only trauma center.

In total, Crozer is set to lay off 2,651 staff members, a move that has generated significant concern among healthcare workers and the community. Employees, assembled at a rally outside the hospital, voiced their frustration over what they perceive as a devastating blow to local healthcare, particularly affecting services for women and infants.

The impending layoffs are the result of a prolonged period of cuts and hospital closures under Prospect’s management. This includes the previous elimination of services and other hospitals in the Crozer system. Following further legal proceedings, the sale of outpatient facilities in neighboring regions is also on the table, aiming to mitigate damage after years of financial instability that have plagued the healthcare network in Delaware County.

This developing story continues to evolve as both the community and healthcare officials grapple with the fallout from these closures, emphasizing the critical need for healthcare resources in the region. Media News Source will provide updates as the situation unfolds.