In this week’s issue of the Journal (paper version out on the street now, web version up tomorrow, Nov. 28), we write about a shortage of ob-gyn docs in Humboldt, and how St. Joseph Health System’s talk of possibly closing down Redwood Memorial Hospital’s OB program might be one of several influencing factors.
Now, in a news release this afternoon, Erin Dunn, CEO of the Fortuna Chamber of Commerce, says there will be a community meeting Dec. 5 to talk about the potential closure of Redwood Memorial’s OB program.
Here’s the chamber’s announcement:
THE MATERNITY CENTER AT REDWOOD MEMORIAL HOSPITAL IS ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK!
ATTEND THIS COMMUNITY MEETING SO YOUR VOICE CAN BE HEARD THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, RIVER LODGE, FORTUNA @ NOON
Losing the Obstetrics program will harm the viability of Redwood Memorial Hospital. Residents of the Eel River Valley and Southern Humboldt will have to travel to Eureka to have their babies.
The Board of Trustees will be deciding the fate of this program soon!
Attend this community meeting and voice your concern.
For information about the meeting, please contact Erin Dunn @ the Fortuna Chamber of Commerce. 707-725-3959.
This article appears in Holiday Gift Guide 2013.
I live in Eureka and went to RMH to have 2 of my 3 sons, and I have highly recommended this to many families because the quality of care is exceptional in Fortuna- it is one of the best kept secrets we have kept because we want it to stay excellent, like a favorite beach. If it means revealing a secret to keep this Humboldt jewel, I’m in.
I’d like to say that this is NOT just an issue for Fortuna. This encompasses so much of the Southern Humboldt region and even to the north. There are several possible scenarios here: eventual downgrading of RMH to a minor medical facility, closing it altogether, or selling it off.
Stripping Redwood Memorial Hospital of services that are needed even this far south of Eureka can be seen as one of several steps towards those ends. Changing management of the individual departments at RMH so they are all overseen directly from St Joseph Hospital in Eureka is another (this is part of a step-by-step process that although may be part of a financial turn-around plan, still saps Redwood Memorial of it’s own identity as a hospital making it more of a satellite facility to St Joe’s).
Longer drives to get to Eureka and St Joseph Hospital, if you have transportation available that is, longer ambulance drives to Eureka (that White Elephant – “The Tower” has a very large ED that needs more patients to make it look as though it was actually a needed thing here in Humboldt), concentrating services in Eureka which would probably translate into harder-to-get appointments, longer waiting room times…. is this what people really want in Humboldt County?
The leadership of St Joseph Health System both in and out of Humboldt County has a history of making massive errors, helping to alienate the local population and medical professionals, as well as basically throwing good money after bad. Remember back around 2006 when the Admins of St Joseph Health systems here pissed off the local Radiologists?
Here’s a little quote from NCJ article on this…
“Back then, local hospital watchers agreed that driving the radiologists away was probably the biggest bonehead decision St. Joe administrators made in recent years, and there were many to choose from.”.
It is amazing to see them continue to make poor decisions, throw money away, but stretch out their hands to the community asking for support.
There is no admission that they make these colossal mistakes time-and-again. Blame regulations, the poor, state and federal reimbursements instead. Yes, these are all elements of the larger problem in U.S. healthcare, but here in Humboldt County we have the dealings of St Joseph Health System adding fuel to the fire.
This is a much broader issue than just being a local town issue. The community Redwood Memorial Hospital serves is greater than the boundaries encircling Fortuna. People need to start educating themselves on what’s going on here and start getting active to let St Joseph Health Systems know how much health care in this area means to everyone. Redwood Memorial Hospital… and Mad River Hospital… are not insignificant, unneeded, or disposable.
Please attend this meeting people! Rumor mill has a certain administrator up at St. Joseph saying this was the only day/time he could attend a meeting… I hope this isn’t true! Think of it… a PUBLIC FORUM to discuss a VERY important issue and one of the top dogs says, “I can only be there Thursday at noon”? This would be so seriously wrong if it were true… not all that unlikely… just plain wrong!
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5TH, NOON… Fortuna River Lodge!
Apparently the Admin’s JUST sent out an email today about an employee forum TOMORROW! about this issue.
I got a call about it just a minute ago.
Typical behavior… send out an email at the last minute to employees who have a vested interest in the issue.
Tomorrow at the Renner Room, Redwood Memorial Hospital 12:30 and again at 4 or 5pm.
They couldn’t plan a forum where more working people could attend? Let this be heard that we want to keep our OB- RMH! I also live in Eureka but prefer to have my care from the wonderful staff at RMH OB dept! I had a long labor ending up in a c-section and I couldn’t image being anywhere else! The staff knew me and my doctor was right there. Please think real hard before closing this ward. It could save lives by people coming from Southern Humboldt!
THANK YOU! to those people who were able to attend today’s meeting!
Unfortunately I could not stay past the Dog&Pony Show (slideshow by the consultants), so I missed so many of your comments.
I’m glad I had an opportunity to speak early, wish I had prepped better, but it was nice to see that long line of people wanting to voice their concerns, their information, and their suggestions.
I truly hope that the Sister, and the Board members present listened and will take heed of the pulse of this community!
I do not see this as an isolated issue just about Redwood Memorial Hospital… all three Hospitals here in this area influence health care here, and significant events at one will be felt by the other two!
Keep the pressure on Humboldt County! Don’t give up the fight!