Decide: Franciscan Well being might not shut Hammond ER

CROWN POINT, Ind. (CBS) — A decide has upheld a ruling that Franciscan Well being many not shut down its hospital in Hammond, Indiana in on the finish of the yr as deliberate.

Franciscan Well being announced in November that it deliberate to finish in-patient companies and its emergency division, efficient Saturday, Dec. 31.

The Metropolis of Hammond filed a lawsuit, stating that the hospital had stated final yr that it deliberate to downsize – however maintain its emergency division open. The hospital on the time additionally stated it deliberate to take care of a restricted variety of hospital beds for brief stays, in addition to imaging and lab companies wound care, dialysis, prenatal care, and first care.

Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. stated as a result of Franciscan Well being didn’t plan to shut its emergency division, town didn’t take motion to seek out various choices for emergency companies, courtroom paperwork stated.

However 18 months later – with no communication within the intervening interval – the hospital stated it was closing its emergency division in any case, courtroom paperwork stated. The mayor referred to as this an “absolute betrayal,” and stated it might injury well being care protection in Northwest Indiana and close by elements of Illinois.

Lake County, Indiana Superior Courtroom Decide Bruce Father or mother and issued an injunction every week in the past forbidding the hospital from closing.

On Wednesday, the hospital requested the courtroom to rethink an earlier ruling that they keep open one other 9 months.

The hospital’s chief govt officer says the ability lacks primary companies to resume their license, which expires on Sunday.

On Thursday, Decide Father or mother rejected the hospital’s movement for a keep on the injunction – insisting that it can’t function safely and should shut. The decide referred to as the hospital’s declare “untestable, largely unprovable, and definitely not confirmed right here.”

In November, Franciscan Well being had stated it nonetheless plans to function a number of clinics on the Hammond campus, however in-patient and emergency companies had been to be lower due to a dwindling variety of sufferers and a scarcity of employees.

Franciscan has already begun work to demolish the hospital.