ASHVILLE - County officials concerned with the possibility of Westfield Memorial Hospital's emergency room closing are taking action.
In a morning news conference Thursday, County Executive Greg Edwards asked all opposed to the change to "swamp" Governor David A. Paterson and the state's Health Commissioner with e-mails, phone calls and letters.
"Two years ago I participated with a team lead by our own Stan Lundine to keep Westfield Memorial Hospital alive after the pronouncements of the Berger Commission called for the closing of this essential part of our county," Edwards said. "We were the only county in the state to successfully propose and complete a change to the Berger Commission edicts.
"Unfortunately the state is once again trying to close the Westfield Hospital by closing the emergency room," Edwards continued. "When I learned of this move in June, I sent a letter directly to State Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines. I called on Dr. Daines to meet with me on this issue, offering to travel to Albany or any other location of his choice, or at least a telephone conference. Neither Dr. Daines nor any member of his staff has even responded to my request."
Explaining that state officials respond to volume, Edwards, along with Sheriff Joseph Gerace and Westfield Memorial Hospital Vice President Karen Surlaka, announced the campaign to save Westfield Memorial Hospital. Criticizing those who evaluated and made the recommendation, Edwards said "they don't understand Chautauqua County" or the critical role that Westfield Memorial Hospital plays in the everyday lives of people and the health care industry locally.
According to Edwards, Westfield Memorial Hospital provides life-saving services to 30,000 local residents year-round and serves as the primary health care resource for another 30,000 tourists and summer vacationers. Children under 18 account for nearly 2,000 of the hospital annual visits. Additionally, the hospital serves three Amish communities with a combined population of more than 1,200.
"We've heard from hundreds of residents who have said, 'I would not be alive if Westfield Memorial Hospital's emergency room was not here,'" Surlaka said. "What's important to know is that everyone's lives would be in jeopardy if Westfield's emergency room closes."
Describing the situation, Surlaka said going to a limited, 12-hour, "urgent care" center would be a change from a life-saving emergency room provider to a "Band-Aid" operation.
Closing Westfield Memorial Hospital's emergency room would also affect the economy of Chautauqua County, according to Edwards. One of the top five employers in its region, Westfield's hospital has more than 100 well-paying career jobs.
As such a limited operation, Westfield would not be allowed to accept ambulances - forcing the county's volunteer emergency responders to have to travel the extra distance to either Dunkirk or Jamestown. That very likely could lead to the necessity of a paid ambulance service, according to Edwards.
"It makes no sense," Gerace said of the change.
Seven miles from the County Jail, Westfield Memorial Hospital serves as the primary care center for inmates. Without it, inmates in need of emergency services would need to travel the either 27 miles to Dunkirk or the 28 miles to Jamestown.
"It would be a senseless decision to eliminate the hospital's emergency department," Gerace said. "There are many other places in New York state to save money that would not have impact on saving lives."
