RENSSELAER COUNTY EXECUTIVE STEVE MCLAUGHLIN AND PUBLIC HEALTH DIRECTOR MARY FRAN WACHUNAS RAISE CONCERNS ABOUT PLANNED CLOSURE OF SAMARITAN MATERNITY WARD
RENSSELAER COUNTY EXECUTIVE STEVE MCLAUGHLIN AND PUBLIC HEALTH DIRECTOR MARY FRAN WACHUNAS RAISE CONCERNS ABOUT PLANNED CLOSURE OF SAMARITAN MATERNITY WARD
The possible closure of the only maternity ward in Rensselaer County has county leaders concerned about access to care, particularly in many areas of Troy and surrounding communities.
County Executive Steve McLaughlin and Public Health Director Mary Fran Wachuns said the state and Samaritan should work on developing a solution to keep the birthing center open at the Troy hospital. State approval is needed before the maternity ward can be closed.
“We are concerned about the reduction of maternity services at Samaritan, which would leave Rensselaer County without any birthing center. Our residents would be forced to travel at a greater distance to other counties, which could create issues,” said County Executive Steve McLaughlin.
“Rensselaer County is a growing county, and we are seeing significant investment in so many areas of the county. So we are confused as to why it would be necessary to close the only maternity ward in the county with so many positive things going on,” added McLaughlin.
“We are hopeful Samaritan and the state can develop a reasonable solution that allows the maternity ward at the hospital to remain open. This would affect such a wide area that we cannot see any way for the state to approve the closure,” he concluded.
In recent memory, there were five hospitals accessible to Rensselaer County residents for maternity services. The Samaritan closure would mean only two hospitals in Albany County are available for births.
“This is a major concern in terms of health services if Samaritan’s maternity ward is closed. So many residents have utilized the service and the closure would dramatically reduce access to care in our county,” said Wachunas.
“So many residents in Troy and even surrounding communities in Albany County rely on bus transport or cabs or ride-sharing to access medical services. Those residents will face real difficulty in accessing services,” said Wachunas.
“As Public Health Director, I am also concerned we were not contacted or advised of this before this plan was announced to the media,” added Wachunas.