UPDATED: OLBH shutting down patient care April 30

RUSSELL Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital will shut down all hospital-based patient care April 30, a spokesman announced today.

The move includes emergency services and emergency medical services will be notified that no patients will be accepted after that date, according to an email sent to hospital employees by interim market president Jason Asic.

Medical records in the hospital will remain open to patients beyond April 30, according to the email.

Many of the system’s affiliated physican practices also will remain open after April 30, according to the spokesman.

The hospital’s parent company, Bon Secours Health System, announced earlier this year it would close the hospital, its system-owned care sites and its physician network by the end of September.

The accelerated closure benefits patients and workers who have accepted other jobs, according to Asic. “Many staff members have accepted other employment or have tendered their resignations. Many have accepted their new positions conditionally, meaning the start dates with their new employers begin once their employment at OLBH ends.

“Because these employers have hired and continue to actively recruit staff in good faith,and with the number of resignations accelerating, it became clear that it would be in the best interest of the patients we serve to establish a firm date”for closure, he said in the email to workers.

Closure updates will continue to be posted at bonsecours.com/OLBHUpdates.

“Bon Secours continues to evaluate next steps for all of the physical facilities and equipment, and have been in contact with a variety of organizations. These discussions will continue as decisions are made during the wind-down process,” according to the spokesman.

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mjames@dailyindependent.com