Hearing to be held next Thursday December 21st at 630pm at the Curley Recreation Center- M Street side. See press release below:
Representative Nick Collins has called for a state hearing by the Department of Public Health on the proposed closing of the Harborlights nursing and rehabilitation facility run by Kindred Healthcare.
On December 1, 2017, Kindred notified the state Department of Public Health, as well as staff and patients at their 6 facilities across Massachusetts, that they intend to close all of the facilities by the end of the first quarter in 2018. The news was met with surprise and outrage.
“Closing this facility is unacceptable and the community will be heard on this,” Rep. Collins said.
Under DPH regulations, any nursing facility in Massachusetts seeking to close must go through a public process that includes a public hearing, followed by a comment period. Rep. Collins is calling for the hearing to be held in the South Boston community so that residents and families of patients can be heard.
“Like many people in the communities I represent, I’ve had family treated at HarborLights,” Collins said. “I’m opposed to this closure and will be seeking a delay so we can find a way to preserve this community asset. It’s important not just to South Boston but our regional health care system.”
A similar situation took place in the North End in 2016 when the Spaulding Rehab Facility was seeking closure. A delay was sought and with public pressure from community as well state and city officials. The process resulted in a new operator, Marquis Health Services, taking over the facility.
“We need to band together as a community, speaking loudly with one voice. It’s going to take everyone’s involvement to get a favorable result here. ” Rep. Collins said.
Working with the Department of Public Health (DPH), Rep. Collins was able to have the hearing scheduled before Christmas, and in South Boston so as many residents as possible can testify.
“We need everyone there for this one. Time is of the essence,” he said. “The urgency is now.”
The hearing is scheduled for next Thursday 12/21/17 at 6:30 pm in the Curley Recreation Center M Street side community room. All are welcome and encouraged to testify against the proposed closure plan.
This may be good business but it is very sad for residents and staff. A great shock to many ill and confused elderly folk. Any updates?
Any further news re: protest meeting? (I am particularly interested in the. testimony
of concerned residents of Southie and of the facility itself).