Campaign Continues to Save Glen Cove Hospital Services

Glen Cove Mayor Ralph Suozzi is ramping up a campaign to maintain services at Glen Cove Hospital. On the City of Glen Cove web site, Suozzi is now urging community members to sign an online petition on change.org, and hopes to collect at least 10,000 signatures. 

His message is in response to North Shore-LIJ announcement last week that it aims to phase out inpatient bed services in January 2014. The hospital also plans to expand ambulatory surgery center, medical offices, outpatient cancer services, a community health and outreach center, and physical therapy and rehabilitation.

The changes are necessary, hospital officials said, noting that operations are “unsustainable.” The hospital intends to identify job opportunities within the North Shore-LIJ system for workers affected by the changes.

But Suozzi hopes hospital officials would consider other solutions that would benefit the community.

The message on the City of Glen Cove website reads:

I URGE YOU to sign the online petition http://www.change.org/petitions/michael-dowling-pres-and-ceo-nslij-health-system-dr-nirav-r-shah-nys-health-comm-keep-glen-cove-hospital-a-full-service-hospital, it takes about 30 seconds. If you have already signed - Thank You.

... If you signed it you have received a return email. That email can be forwarded to your email contacts who may not use Facebook. Please spread the word to all of your friends, families and neighbors in Glen Cove an our neighboring North Shore communities.

I am looking for 10,000 plus signatures to bring to Michael Dowling CEO of the NSLIJ System, the NYS Health Department Commissioner, Dr. Nirav R. Shah, and to Governor Andrew Cuomo.

I URGE you to call or write all of these individuals. We need them to reconsider the impacts to our communities, our residents, our senior citizens, our assisted living facilities, our nursing homes, our medical practitioners, transport time, our access to quality health care and the devastating impact to our local economies.

Special call out to the Volunteer Fire Departments, EMS and other first responders and their families. You have a history of dedicated service to your community and your voices are strong, proud and respected. Please spread the word among your neighbors and families.

(NOTE: There are paper signatures being collected throughout the community as well.)

Thank you all for doing your part and participating in this effort.

— Mayor Ralph Suozzi