Press Releases
NEWS: COMMUNITY CALLS FOR REPRIEVE FOR PARKWAY HOSPITAL
New York City –Representative Anthony Weiner (D-Brooklyn and Queens), local elected officials and community leaders called for Parkway Hospital to remain open. The New York State Department of Health will shut down Parkway Hospital Tuesday, September 30.
Rep. Weiner called for granting Parkway Hospital an extension in order to provide them with the needed transition time to complete their restructuring and consolidation plan. He also urged the state Health Department to review the hospital’s comprehensive proposal submitted last week. The hospital has provided vital services to over 100,000 residents in Forest Hills, Kew Gardens and Rego Park for nearly six decades.
Under Parkway Hospital’s revamped plan, which aims to reinvest and improve the delivery of quality care, the facility would be renamed the Concordia Health Pavilion at Forest Hills. Parkway Hospital agreed to give up their operating license after one year and create a new health care facility for Queens residents. Configurations include an outpatient surgery center, a wound care center, and a diagnostic treatment center. The hospital would also implement an urgent-care center and a pharmacy for outpatient prescriptions.
“The significance of the hospital cannot be measured and we will fight to keep it open. The recommendations of the Berger Commission have proved to be repeatedly wrong and since reversed. We need more hospitals like Parkway, not less,” said Councilman Joe Addabbo (D-Queens).
Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi (D-Forest Hills) said, “I urge the State Department of Health to take a close and serious look at Parkway’s comprehensive restructuring plan that includes downsizing the number of acute care beds and provides for the establishment of an urgent care center, offers subacute rehabilitation and provides other important services for Forest Hills and the surrounding communities.”
"I am very concerned that care for my constituents will be interrupted. The community does not want to lose this hospital which is a valuable part of the health care system in Queens," said State Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky (D-Flushing).
"Parkway is essential to our community. It provides critical services for Forest Hills and Rego Park. Its closing would leave many community residents, especially seniors, without the the care they need," said Councilwoman Melinda Katz (D-Queens).
“I commend Congressman Weiner for his efforts to help save Parkway Hospital and join with him in calling on the State Health Department to grant an extension until adequate arrangements can be made to protect the health care needs of the residents of our communities, ” said State Sen. Serphin Maltese (R-Queens).
Rep. Weiner said, “Every Queens resident should have access to quality affordable health care and Parkway Hospital has been providing that for decades. I understand that the state wants to improve hospitals in Queens, but closing Parkway is fixing a cut with an amputation. Parkway Hospital should be allowed to reorganize their health care delivery system for the better to meet that goal.”
A full copy of the letter to the New York State Department of Health is available here.
