Lakeside will close Brockport hospital
BROCKPORT – A hospital that serves many residents in eastern and central Orleans County announced today it will close its doors next week.
Lakeside Health System was unable to obtain state funding to help fund its emergency room and inpatient services. Lakeside will continue to operate primary care practices, urgent care and a nursing home.
However, it will shut down its acute care services. Orleans residents on the east side will have to drive farther for health care. Local ambulance services will also have longer transport times for patients going to an ER past the east side of the county.
“We have pursued all options,” said Nancy Plews, chairwoman of the Lakeside board. “Despite our best efforts, NYS has concluded that it will be unable to provide sufficient financial support from its Vital Access Provider Fund in order for the hospital to move forward. This is a tremendously sad day for our employees, medical staff, volunteers and our entire community.”
The hospital stopped accepting inpatient admissions on Saturday. This Friday it won’t accept patients in the ER after 2 p.m. The diagnostic, imaging and lab services will cease at 5 p.m.
“Our employees and medical staff have always been our number one greatest asset and we sincerely thank them for their dedication,” said Interim CEO Jim Cummings. “So many of our employees and medical staff have supported and stood by the health system to the end.”
Lakeside is closing the following departments at the end of today’s business day: Wellness, Respiratory, Occupational Health and Physical Therapy. On Saturday, all remaining inpatients will be transferred to area hospitals. Next Tuesday, April 30, the hospital will close.
Decisions related to the ongoing viability of Lakeside’s two primary care practices, Urgent Care in Spencerport and the Beikirch Care Center in Brockport will be made within the next month.
Lakeside officials will meet with the community 6:30 tonight at the Brockport High School LGI Room to address questions.
