AYER, MASS. (WHDH) – Nurses, patients, and public officials shared their reactions Friday after Steward Health Care announced plans to close two hospitals in Dorchester and Ayer.
The embattled private health care company in a statement said it will shutter Carney Hospital in Dorchester and Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer at the end of August after it was unable to find a qualified bidder to buy either hospital.
Asked for her response, Michelle Travers, a registered nurse at Nashoba Valley, responded.
“[It’s a] very sad day,” she said.
Steward declared bankruptcy earlier this year amid an onslaught of financial issues and scrutiny.
Company officials said they planned to sell all of Steward’s eight operational hospitals in Massachusetts. Though they found no buyers for Carney and Nashoba Valley, Steward on Friday said it is in “active final negotiations” to sell its six other Massachusetts hospitals.
“This is a challenging and unfortunate situation, and the effect it will have on our patients, our employees, and the communities we serve is regrettable,” Steward said. “We will do all we can to ensure a smooth transition for those affected while continuing to provide quality care to the patients we will continue to serve.”
Carney traces its history back to 1863 and is currently licensed for 109 beds, according to the state Department of Public Health.
Nashoba Valley Medical Center was founded in 1964 and is licensed for 57 beds.
In Ayer, employees said they were heartbroken by the news their hospital will be closing.
“We’re just trying to get through the day,” said registered nurse Naomi Andrews. “We’re all in shock because we really thought that we were going to stay open. This community needs us too much.”
Speaking with 7NEWS, nurses said patient care will certainly be impacted by the decision to close Carney and Nashoba Valley.
Nurses also expressed concern for local first responders.
“It will most…