Board of Health urges BRMC property owners to consider emergency services
Published on January 26th, 2000
STONEHAM, MA - The Stoneham Board of Health has asked the Gutierrez Company, owners of the Boston Regional Medical Center campus, to consider using the property for a hospital with an emergency room.
A letter from Board Chairman Ben DiRusso says, "Since BRMC's closing in February of 1999, the surrounding hospitals have been unable to keep pace with the increased volume for these (emergency) services."
Lahey Clinic has leased 100,000 square feet of the space, but hospital spokespeople say there are no definite plans for the use. Gutierrez has not speculated on the sale or lease of the rest of the property.
As business people plot, people wait in line at area emergency rooms.
"We used to see about 20,000 patients a year at the BRMC emergency room," said Kathy Schuler, former Vice President of Patient Care for BRMC. She works today as Director of Nursing at Lowell General.
"I believe there is a real need in the Stoneham area community for another emergency room," Schuler said.
Board of Health member Mike Rolli said he receives calls daily from concerned citizens, especially the elderly, worrying about emergency services.
"There has been a hospital up there for years," Rolli said. "Hopefully, the owners will agree it is the best thing for the community."
In other BRMC news:
The hospital's creditors are suing National Century Financial Enterprises of Ohio for fraud. The creditors claim that the behavior of the Ohio firm was a major reason for BRMC's financial collapse, and they are looking to recover some of the millions of dollars lost and owed.
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