(WPHL) — Crozer-Chester Medical Center, located in Upland, PA, and Taylor Hospital, located in Ridley Park, PA, will close this month, according to a statement released by Delaware County Council. On Thursday, councilmembers responded to the closure announcement by Prospect Medical Holdings, Inc., the owner of the two hospitals.
The exact date of the closure remains unknown, however, officials from Prospect Medical Holdings informed a bankruptcy court on Thursday that there is only enough money to keep the hospitals open through March 14th.
“It is infuriating to hear that Prospect has failed to keep their promises yet again to the residents of Delaware County, now that they’re done lining their own pockets at the expense of our communities,” said Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor. “Our county government has spent months hard at work to prepare for the possibility that these hospitals would be closed. We remain committed to an orderly, calm, and comprehensive process to helping ensure patients are transferred to other facilities that can provide the care they need.”
Delaware County recently created a dedicated page to keep residents up to date, in addition to offering additional resources, at DelcoPA.Gov/Prospect. Residents are also encouraged to use the Delaware County Health Department Wellness Line at (484)-276-2100.
Impacted Crozer Health employees are encouraged to contact Delaware County’s PA CareerLink offices for re-employment support at PACareerLinkDelco.org.
The Delaware County Health Department has a guide on when to seek emergency care versus urgent care. Residents should still continue to dial 9-1-1 for immediate medical emergencies. According to the guide, residents can help reduce the burden on Emergency Medical Services and first responders by choosing urgent care for non-emergency health issues.
“For thousands of our friends and neighbors, going to work for years meant going to a Crozer facility and putting their time and talent into healing people and getting them back on their feet,” said County Council Member Elaine Paul Schaefer. “We will do everything we can to help folks find their next role and get back to work building Delaware County’s future. Even with a bankrupt Prospect, we’re going to make sure our best days as a county are ahead of us.”
PHL17 has reached out to Prospect Medical Holdings for comment. As of Thursday evening, the company has not responded.
