To the Readers' Forum:
The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce has asked NYS Department of Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines to postpone a decision to close the emergency room at Westfield Memorial Hospital. A postponement will provide the necessary time for the board of Westfield Memorial Hospital to engage in discussions with the Westfield community and health care facilities in the region, to study alternative options for the facility and how those options will impact medical needs in the future.
The proposed closure of the emergency room at the Westfield facility has raised serious concerns regarding health care delivery and the economic impact to our community. There are a variety of concerns related to life safety and transportation distances if the facility were closed that need to be further studied and understood. There also needs to be a better understanding of how any changes will impact the delivery of low cost preventive care and community wellness education. The economic impact to our region would be significant and would be reflected in the loss of payroll, supply purchases, capital spending, sales and state income taxes. The Westfield community and the region need more time to work with the Department of Health to work out a solution that serves the best interests of all the parties involved.
The postponement of this decision will permit our community to make the best decisions related to maintaining high quality health care and preventing a negative economic impact to our area.
Doug Mahany, Chairman
Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce