DELAWARE COUNTY, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — The two remaining Crozer hospitals in Delaware County will remain open at least another week to 10 days. But following a hearing in bankruptcy court Thursday, officials said there is still no permanent solution in place.
Prospect Medical Holdings, a private equity firm, said Penn Medicine contributed $5 million to keep the doors open at Crozer Chester Medical Center and Taylor Hospital, and Delaware County advanced Prospect another $1 million. Prospect’s Attorney William Curtain told Judge Stacey Jernigan about the arrangement during a hearing in a Texas bankruptcy court Thursday.
“We're not closing, but we also don't have a long-term solution for Crozer, but we are immediately beginning a transition process that will allow for critical services that patients in Delaware County rely on to remain in Delaware County and to preserve as many jobs as possible,” Curtain said.
Prospect said earlier this week they were closing the hospitals unless they received $9 million to keep them open another two weeks. The state and the Foundation for Delaware County both declined to contribute, Curtain said.
“... We have $6 million, so what does that get us? That gets us approximately, approximately a week to 10 days.”
Curtain says Prospect is moving forward to relinquish some services at the two hospitals, starting with OBGYN care.
Melissa Van Eck of the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office said employees are not being left behind by the transition process.
“What's going to happen is that employees may be wearing different jerseys, but they'll still continue doing their job. And I think it's important for employees and patients in the community to hear that,” Van Eck said.
Curtain said the plan includes keeping those services, patients and employees in Delaware County.
All the parties involved said negotiations remain ongoing to find a permanent solution.
Judge Jernigan said the motion to close the hospitals and the motion to sell both remain on the books for now.
“The situation needs some heroes — the doctors and nurses and hospital staff are, of course, heroes. So the heroes need some heroes, and the people of Delaware County need some heroes.”