Q&A
Exploring alternatives to hospital closures and transition plans
2:04:26
·
107 sec
Council Member Brooks-Powers inquires about potential alternatives to hospital closures, such as repurposing facilities for urgent care or specialized clinics. The health officials respond, explaining their limited involvement in such transitions but highlighting efforts to increase capacity in existing facilities.
- Dr. Morse and Dr. Iavicoli clarify that the health department and Health + Hospitals do not operate standalone urgent care facilities.
- Brooks-Powers presses for information on any city-led transition plans to ensure continued care for New Yorkers.
- Dr. Iavicoli explains that Health + Hospitals is continuously working to increase capacity in emergency departments, outpatient clinics, and through virtual care options to accommodate potential volume increases.
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
2:04:26
Thank you for that.
2:04:27
And just in terms of exploring alternatives to closures, has the city explored transition plans where hospitals facing financial difficulties are repurposed to serve specific community needs such as urgent care specialized clinics instead of complete closures.
2:04:44
And are there any examples of hospitals that have successfully shifted from full service operations to targeted healthcare services and what lessons could be applied to New York City hospitals.
Dr. Michelle Morse
2:04:58
We and the health department don't don't have that, but I'll pass to Doctor.
2:05:01
Yavacoli in case she has some comments.
Laura Iavicoli
2:05:05
Health and hospitals does not have a stand alone or urgent care that they operate.
2:05:11
So, yeah, we couldn't comment on that either.
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
2:05:15
But has a city sport any type of transition plan?
2:05:18
Like, considering that you all are monitoring when there are closures and that there could be a spillover impacting the city's hospital apparatus.
2:05:29
Are there any, like, transition plans that the city may engage in to ensuring that New Yorkers are still able to receive the care, whether it's sending information or what have you?
Laura Iavicoli
2:05:41
I mean, I can say that for health and hospitals, we are putting into our emergency departments, putting into making more beds, putting into making more capacity in our outpatient clinics, We have our virtual express care as our virtual as our urgent care option is and it's also telehealth option.
2:06:02
So we are constantly creating more capacity and upgrading in order to accommodate any volume increase for whatever reason it might be.
