“I’m obviously very concerned that it had to come to this point, but I support the hospital’s decision in order to protect its license so the hospital can be viable in the future,” said City Councilwoman Mary Ann Krause.Krause is chairwoman of the Santa Clara River Valley Ad Hoc Committee and on a panel recently formed to try to broker continuing negotiations between the hospital and the county.If the hospital closes Dec. 19th, it will be almost a year to the day that board members announced that SPMH was on the verge of closure due to a financial crisis.A letter from the board to the community noted that it needed funds to remain operational for 90 days - later revealed to be $600,000 - and asked for donations.Only $134,000 was raised in 30 days and then the money stopped, a reflection of river valley community anger over SPMH’s closely guarded financial information and distrust of the hospital’s management company, Quorum Health Resources.Hospital debt is reportedly over $7 million but is believed to be higher.“I was concerned with the hospital’s ability to keep staff and supplies, said Long, and “although I thought they had more time, it’s not completely unexpected.”The county had recommended that SPMH declare bankruptcy months ago, a suggestion spurred by SPMH trustees. Such an action with county oversight could be an option, noted Long.Supervisors will decide Tuesday whether or not to reopen negotiations.
Hospital on the Hill closure looms, Long urging ER services
December 12, 2003
Santa Paula News
The announcement of the closure of Santa Paula Memorial Hospital came as no surprise to those who on Saturday learned that a patient had been diverted from the “Hospital on the Hill” and flown by helicopter to a Ventura medical facility.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesThe announcement of the closure of Santa Paula Memorial Hospital came as no surprise to those who on Saturday learned that a patient had been diverted from the “Hospital on the Hill” and flown by helicopter to a Ventura medical facility.The Santa Paula patient, suffering respiratory distress when brought to the hospital by ambulance, could not be admitted to the hospital’s ICU unit due to a lack of medical staff.Four days later on Wednesday, the hospital announced it was suspending critical care services. The SPMH board had voted Tuesday night - hours after a County Board of Supervisors closed door meeting to address whether or not to continue affiliation negotiations - to suspend most medical services effective Dec. 19th or sooner.Also on Wednesday, Supervisor Kathy Long, who had been on the county negotiation team, said county medical “team members” would visit SPMH on Thursday to “assess the situation and see if we can keep the ER open.” In addition, “I fully expect to get back to the table on Tuesday,” with supervisors to address an affiliation plan.Long also negotiated with the county’s ambulance provider to add another emergency vehicle to the river valley and arranged for the county’s medical mobile unit to be stationed in Santa Paula for emergency response.At Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors’ meeting, Bob Borrego of Santa Paula said the hospital had saved his life three times; Rodney Fernandez, a SPMH board director, asked if the county could act quickly to save the hospital.Over the months of failed negotiations with Ventura County and the retreat of Community Memorial Hospital from opening talks, “It’s been a matter of just waiting for the other shoe to drop,” said a SPMH employee who asked for anonymity. In recent weeks SPMH had announced it was stopping maternity services, laid off employees andOpened in 1961, SPMH is one of three hospitals in the state built entirely with community donations. The hospital provides the only Emergency Room for the Santa Clara River Valley’s 50,000 residents. Ventura hospitals are over 20 minutes away from Santa Paula, even longer for Fillmore and Piru, and the hospital has treated thousands of Highway 126 accident victims since it opened.The growing shortage of supplies, shrinking medical personnel and the recommendation of SPMH newly formed doctors’ advisory committee prompted the board’s decision.