Medina Memorial ceasing home health care services on July 30

MEDINA – Medina Memorial Hospital will stop providing home health care services on July 30, or sooner if a transition is in place.

Hospital officials cited mounting financial losses with the service. Two other agencies provide that service in Orleans County, HCR Home Care and the Visiting Nurse Association. The hospital’s decision to stop providing home health care follows a similar path by the Orleans County Health Department and many other counties that have ceased offering home health care.

“We’re really covered with services in our area,” Cindy Perry, hospital spokeswoman, said about other home health care agencies. “We’re going to be working with them. It will be a seamless transition. The local residents are not going to lose services.”

Some of the nurses, physical therapists and office staff will find other jobs with the hospital or with the home health care agencies, Perry said.

Here is a statement issued today by Wendy Jacobson, Medina Memorial’s president and CEO:

“Medina Memorial Hospital Long Term Home Health Care Program announced that the New York State Department of Health has approved its plan for closing the Medina Memorial Hospital Long Term Home Health Care Program (MMHLTHHCP) in Medina, NY on or about July 30, 2016 or as soon as patients are safely transitioned.

“Since 1987, the MMHLTHHCP has provided services to thousands of county residents. Unfortunately, a number of financial issues, including the elimination of funding over the past few years as well as several years of annual losses, have affected the viability of the MMHLTHHCP. As our nation undergoes changes in the healthcare system, New York State has been working to reduce medical costs and there are excellent programs accessible to residents of Orleans County.

“We will work closely with our patients and families as they transition to Certified Home Health Agencies in Orleans and Niagara Counties. All current patients will be transitioned to the agency of their choice prior to the program closure to allow for continuity of care and services. Our goal is to ensure a safe transition of care for our current patients.

“Orleans Community Health currently has some open positions for qualified staff and is working with the Visiting Nurse Association of WNY, Inc. and HCR Homecare to interview and employ qualified LTHHCP field staff. This will allow for the continuity of caregivers with current home health patients.

“Our mission is to improve the health of the communities we serve by providing equal access to quality health care services provided at the right time, in the right place, with the most efficient use of resources. This transition will allow us to ensure that our patients in the community are provided the best possible care.”