Neighbors in union against plan for hospital

LYNN – Aase Alexander has lived across Lynnfield Street from Union Hospital for 20 years, and she called Tuesday?s announcement outlining plans to strip inpatient services from the hospital over the next three years a “disgrace.”?We should not close the only hospital we have in Lynn,” she said.For Alexander and Union Hospital?s other longtime neighbors, the Lynnfield Street medical facility is a good neighbor keeping local residents employed and providing a source of pride.?It?s a good hospital. If they can keep it open or a another health-care provider could come – either option would be great,” said Woodland North Street resident Garry Meola.In announcing plans to pull inpatient services out of Union Hospital, including surgical beds, North Shore Medical Center said Union Hospital?s neighbors will continue to have “access to expanded outpatient primary, specialty and behavioral health services.”But Meola, who has lived in his home for 22 years, is not happy with the idea of traveling to Salem Hospital for medical care.?It?s a long ride, and I wouldn?t get the help I get here,” he said.NSMC, in a statement, said it is “fully committed to providing emergency care to our communities in Lynn, Salem and throughout the region,” but hospital representatives acknowledge moving inpatient care out of Union Hospital will leave large sections of the Lynnfield Street complex empty.?People up here are going to be left stranded. They need to get to the hospital in a hurry,” said Lynn resident Elaine Stonkus.Stonkus? adult daughters were born in the former Lynn Hospital on Boston Street, and Stonkus works in George?s Flowers across the street from the hospital.?The city should continue to stay on top of this,” she said.U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton and state Attorney General Maura Healey, through representatives, indicated Wednesday they will work with city officials to review NSMC?s plans and help craft a city plan for Union Hospital?s future.?I am working to hold Partners accountable for ensuring that residents continue to get the quality health care they deserve right now and for developing a transparent, thorough and community-driven plan to meet the changing health care needs of the community,” Moulton said through spokeswoman Carrie Rankin.State Sen. Thomas M. McGee contacted the AG?s office following NSMC?s announcement, and Healey spokeswoman Chloe Gotsis said, “we are monitoring this as Partners moves forward with its restructuring plan.”Erico Barrios has worked at Union Hospital for 15 years assisting nurses. He anticipates working in another NSMC facility as the consolidation process unfolds. The Lynn resident wants a hospital to remain in the city.?I think we need a hospital. Period,” he said.NSMC spokeswoman Laura Fleming on Wednesday said a 100-job “consolidation” triggered by proposed Union Hospital changes will be offset by projected employee retirements over the next several years.A 2014 NSMC study identified 24,400 Lynn patients served by the medical center and found 54 percent of those patients chose Salem Hospital for care and 46 percent chose Union Hospital for “emergency and inpatient services.”But Stonkus said making Salem Hospital the only inpatient option for local residents, especially seniors, is asking a lot.?To not have a hospital in this city is unbelievable,” she said.