Staff at Crozer's Taylor Hospital rally against operating room closure, predicting more cuts

RIDLEY PARK, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — A Delaware County hospital is being forced to close down its operating room on Sunday. Workers there believe it’s an indicator of bigger changes to come.

“We’re here for patient advocacy. That’s what we’re here for,” said Maureen May, president of the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals .

She was joined by dozens of nurses, doctors, elected leaders and other supporters in front of Taylor Crozer Hospital on Thursday to protest the decision of the hospital’s owner, Prospect Medical Holdings, to close their operating room.

Protesters say Prospect, which is selling Crozer hospitals to New Jersey-based CHA Partners, is trying to force a health care overhaul in the community before they exit the system.

“Little by little, they’re whittling away at what this community needs — and that’s care,” May said.

“We just see this as the same model that they did with Delaware County [Memorial Hospital]. Little by little, they whittle away at each service, and then they close the hospital. And we’re afraid that this is going to happen to this hospital too.”

Kate Denney, president of the Crozer Chester Paramedics Association, a union, says she believes area residents don’t know how far-reaching the consequences of the cuts are.

“Absolutely devastating. It’s going to affect everybody in the community. It’s going to affect lives, and that’s a genuine concern for me.”

Protesters say Prospect is putting profit before patients.

“There is no talk with Prospect. They continue to bully us, and they continue to push us out, so they can make every little dime that they can have before they can finally leave.”

Calls seeking comment from Prospect were not immediately returned.