CHESTER, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — The Delaware County community rallied together on Tuesday around Crozer Chester Medical Center and Taylor Hospital. The two facilities are weeks away from closing if a long-term solution cannot be found to help keep them afloat as their owner, Prospect Medical Holdings, goes through bankruptcy.
With signs that read “Be fair to those who care,” dozens of elected leaders, clergy and Delaware County residents stood shoulder to shoulder outside of Crozer Chester. Maureen May, the president of PASNAP, the union that represents the more than 1,000 Crozer Health System staffers, called for a solution to keep the hospitals open.
“We're here for a healing mission. That’s what we do as healthcare providers, we’re to heal and we want to heal this situation,” said May.
“We have to put pressure on the communities surrounding us to make sure that we have the support to keep this health system open.”
Thanks to a last-minute agreement, extra resources are being provided to help keep Crozer Chester and Taylor Hospital open for at least a few more weeks, but officials say that isn't enough.
“This is the lifeblood for our city and the surrounding area,” said Chester Mayor Stefan Roots, who called the hospitals’ services crucial to area residents.
Crozer Chester Nurses Association President Peggy Malone has worked as a nurse at the hospital for 37 years. She said they’re asking other local health systems to step up so they can stay open for the long haul.
“University of Pennsylvania, Main Line Health, any of the surrounding hospitals … come and help us,” said Malone. “We have a responsibility to take care of the poor and the community and that’s what we want to continue to do.”