Residents of Dorchester, a south Boston neighborhood, are already paying the price for the bankruptcy of Steward Health Care. This hospital, which serves the residents of Dorchester, Milton and other surrounding areas, officially closed its doors this Saturday.
Institutions in the healthcare sector have purchased other hospitals from the Steward group, but no buyer has shown a willingness to make an offer for Carney Hospital, which serves, among others, the residents of Dorchester, a poor district of the city of Boston.
This closure will have serious consequences for Boston’s Haitian community. A large number of Haitian immigrants live in Dorchester.
In addition to patients, other groups in the community are also affected by the closure of Carney Hospital. Several hundred of the hospital’s employees are now unemployed.
Pain, frustration, uncertainty and more: this was the mood on Friday on the eve of the official closure of Carney Hospital in Dorchester, where more than 750 employees said their goodbyes before packing their bags.
In an attempt to minimize the impact as much as possible, the Healey-Driscoll administration has announced measures to support the “communities and workers affected by the closure of Carney Hospital in Dorchester and Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer.
A support plan was presented Friday by Governor Maura Healey’s office.
Governor Maura Healey expressed her administration’s commitment to addressing the consequences of these closures, acknowledging the frustration and uncertainty felt by the communities and hospital staff involved. “We have heard the concerns expressed by communities and staff affected by Steward’s plans to close Carney Hospital and Nashoba Valley Medical Center. We share their frustration: Massachusetts communities should never have found themselves in this situation,” said Governor Healey. ‘Our teams have prepared for this eventuality and we will ensure that residents continue to have access to high quality medical care and that all staff are put in touch with new employment opportunities at other facilities,’ Maura Healey added in a statement.
Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll echoed these sentiments, highlighting the emotional impact of the closures on people who have long depended on these hospitals. “We understand the uncertainty felt by so many as these trusted facilities wind down operations and welcome their last patients,” said Driscoll. ”This transition is emotional and unsettling for patients, employees and communities, and our goal is to make the process as smooth as possible. We remain committed to preserving access to essential medical services and securing jobs for those affected by these closures,” said Kim Driscoll.
State initiatives to preserve access to healthcare
The Healey-Driscoll administration says it is actively working to ensure access to healthcare in areas affected by the closures. One of the main initiatives involves investment funds made available by the Department of Public Health (DPH). The state has opened applications so that towns in affected areas can apply for funds to acquire and upgrade ambulances, emergency medical vehicles, life support and other essential equipment. Eligible towns include Ayer, Devens, Groton, Harvard, Littleton, Pepperell, Shirley and Townsend.
In addition to securing ambulance services, the Executive Office of Health and Human Services is engaged in ongoing discussions with UMass Memorial Health and other regional providers to explore future healthcare opportunities on the Nashoba Valley Medical Center campus. Among the options being considered is the conversion of the hospital’s emergency room into an urgent care center. While these discussions are in their early stages, the administration remains committed to working with UMass to ensure continued access to healthcare for local residents, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey’s office reported.
Coordinated response to hospital closures
Recognizing the significant disruption caused by the closures, the state has taken proactive steps to mitigate the impact on healthcare delivery and workforce stability. Since early May, the Department of Public Health has activated its Incident Command System to coordinate a comprehensive response, including scenario planning for potential hospital closures.
Key measures include efforts to preserve and relocate primary care practices, specialty care services and other medical services at the Carney and Nashoba Valley campuses. The state is also working closely with emergency medical services, local fire chiefs and ambulance companies to assess the impact on transport times and emergency vehicle availability, according to Massachusetts government officials, who promise to ensure a smooth transition for patients who may still arrive at hospital emergency departments after the closures. The state has organized standby ambulances at both hospitals for the seven days following the closures. These ambulances will be available 24/7 to triage and transport patients requiring immediate care, the Healey-Driscoll administration said.
The administration is also working with the Executive Office of Veterans Services and the VA system to transition care for veterans who were receiving services at the Nashoba Valley and Carney hospitals.
To address potential inconveniences caused by the need for patients to travel to new care facilities, the state is actively identifying and communicating transportation options. In addition, the Department of Mental Health is supporting the opening of geriatric psychiatry beds at Good Samaritan Medical Center to compensate for the loss of beds in closing hospitals.
Protecting access to medical records and employment assistance
As part of its comprehensive response, the state is prioritizing protecting patients’ access to their medical records, imaging scans and other essential health information. This is particularly important for those who have received long-term care in these institutions and need ongoing access to their medical histories.
The administration is also supporting the Community Care Pharmacy, which operated in the lobby of Carney Hospital. Efforts are underway to help the pharmacy relocate to a new site within the Dorchester community, so that residents continue to have access to essential pharmaceutical services.
Recognizing the importance of clear communication during this transition period, the state has created several resources for patients, families and communities. These include a dedicated steward transition website, a call center, an interactive map of urgent care centers and a hospital capacity dashboard.
Support for hospital workers
The closure of Carney Hospital and Nashoba Valley Medical Center raised concerns not only about patient care, but also about the future of the dedicated staff at these hospitals. To address these concerns, the state’s MassHire rapid response team actively engaged with staff at both facilities for weeks, providing crucial employment support services.
The rapid response team organized four job fairs at the hospitals on August 23 and 27. These fairs brought together 55 healthcare employers from across the state, offering jobs ranging from administrative to nursing positions. The fairs connected affected workers with potential employers and provided resources such as resume writing and interview preparation workshops.
Lauren Jones, Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development, emphasized the administration’s commitment to supporting displaced workers. “We know that losing a job is an extremely stressful time for workers and their families, which is why the administration has worked urgently to provide affected workers at Carney Hospital and Nashoba Valley Medical Center with the resources they need to connect them with new jobs as soon as possible,” said Secretary Jones. “Our team continues to work alongside affected workers in both communities to provide employment assistance services, particularly for high-demand positions that we know are critical to the Massachusetts healthcare system.”
With over 120,000 residents, Dorchester is the largest neighborhood in the city of Boston. The population is predominantly black (over 38%).
Brazilians, Dominicans, Chinese and Haitians make up the neighborhood’s main immigrant groups.
Although the closure of Carney Hospital will have serious repercussions for the area’s residents, it’s important to note that Carney was not the only hospital in Dorchester.
Harvard Street Neighborhood Heath Center, Codman Square, Bowdoin Street Health Center,Upham’s Home Health Care, and DotHouse health are among other health institutions operating in Dorchester.
It’s also worth noting that Boston’s major hospitals are easily accessible to Dorchester residents via public transit.
Here is a non-exhaustive list of hospitals in and around Boston:
Main Boston hospitals :
1. Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH)
– Location: 55 Fruit St, Boston, MA 02114
– Specialties: General and specialized care, including cancer, neurology and orthopedics.
2. Brigham and Women’s Hospital
– Location: 75 Francis St, Boston, MA 02115
– Specialties: Cardiac care, oncology, women’s health and neurology.
3. Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
– Location: 330 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215
– Specialties: Cancer care, organ transplantation and cardiology.
4. Boston Children’s Hospital
– Location: 300 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115
– Specialties: Pediatric care, including specialized surgery and treatment.
5. Tufts Medical Center
– Location: 800 Washington St, Boston, MA 02111
– Specialties: Cardiac care, cancer treatment and neurosurgery.
6. Boston Medical Center
– Location: 1 Boston Medical Center Pl, Boston, MA 02118 1 Boston Medical Center Pl, Boston, MA 02118
– Specialties: Trauma care, primary care and various specialized services.
7. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
– Location: 450 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215
– Specialties: Cancer treatment and research.
8. New England Baptist Hospital
– Location: 125 Parker Hill Ave, Boston, MA 02120
– Specialties: Orthopedic care and musculoskeletal disorders.
9. Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
– Location: 300 1st Ave, Charlestown, MA 02129
– Specialties: Rehabilitation for stroke, spinal cord injury and amputation.
Nearby hospitals:
1. Cambridge Health Alliance
– Workplace: 1493 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02139
– Specialties: Community health services, mental health and primary care.
2. Mount Auburn Hospital
– Location: 330 Mount Auburn St, Cambridge, MA 02138
– Specialties: General care, including cardiology and maternity services.
3. St. Elizabeth Medical Center
– Location: 736 Cambridge St, Brighton, MA 02135
– Specialties: Cardiovascular care, orthopedics and cancer treatment.
4. Newton-Wellesley Hospital
– Location: 2014 Washington St, Newton, MA 02462
– Specialties: Maternity care, emergency services and orthopedics.
5. Winchester Hospital
– Location: 41 Highland Ave, Winchester, MA 01890
– Specialties: Maternity services, general surgery and cancer care.
6. Lahey Hospital and Medical Center
– Location: 41 Mall Rd, Burlington, MA 01808 41 Mall Rd, Burlington, MA 01805
– Specialties: Cancer treatment, cardiovascular care and organ transplantation.
7. South Shore Hospital
– Location: 55 Fogg Rd, South Weymouth, MA 55 Fogg Rd, South Weymouth, MA 02190
– Specialties: Maternity care, cancer treatment and emergency services.
8. Norwood Hospital
– Location: 800 Washington St, Norwood, MA 02062
– Specialties: General medical and surgical care.
9. Milton Hospital (Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital-Milton)
– Location: 199 Reedsdale Rd, Milton, MA 0262 199 Reedsdale Rd, Milton, MA 02186
– Specialties: Emergency care, general surgery and primary care.
10. Winthrop Medical Center
– Location: 100 Putnam St, Winthrop, MA 02152
– Specialties: Primary care, emergency services and ambulatory care.
Specialty and small hospitals:
1. Shriners Hospitals for Children – Boston
– Location: 51 Blossom St, Boston, MA 02114
– Specialties: Pediatric burn care and reconstructive surgery.
2. Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
– Location: 243 Charles St, Boston, MA 02114
– Specialties: Ophthalmology and otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat).
3. Franciscan Children’s
– Location: 30 Warren St, Brighton, MA 02135
– Specialties: Pediatric rehabilitation and mental health services.
4. Hebrew Rehabilitation Center
– Location: 1200 Centre St: 1200 Centre St, Boston, MA 02131
– Specialties: Geriatric care and rehabilitation.
5. McLean Hospital
– Location: 115 Mill St: 115 Mill St, Belmont, MA 02478
– Specialties: Psychiatric care and mental health services.
This list includes the major hospitals in and around Boston, covering a wide range of specialties and services.