Cook County health board to close inpatient services at 2 hospitals, slash other services

From Health and Medicine Policy Research Group:

For the past 1 1/2 years, the Interim Board of the CCHHS has been putting in place top leadership and beginning budget and personnel reforms of the system. Now, the CCHHS, under new CEO William Foley, is undergoing strategic planning that will have a significant impact on all systems of care in the County.

On October 7, 2009, a day long strategic planning retreat was held, facilitated by Integrated Clinical Solutions, Inc.

The preliminary recommendations of CEO Foley, his team, and the consultants - which the public has an opportunity to comment on - are as follows:

CREATE "HUBS" OF PATIENT CARE AT PROVIDENT,OAK FOREST HOSPITAL (OFH) AND STROGER HOSPITAL

ELIMINATE INPATIENT CARE AT OFH

ELIMINATE INPATIENT CARE AT PROVIDENT

ELIMINATE OB SERVICES AT PROVIDENT

PARTNER WITH RUSH AND UIC ON PEDIATRICS AT ONE LOCATION, NOT NECESSARILY STROGER HOPSITAL

CLOSE SOME OF THE ACHN CLINICS AND CONSOLIDATE OTHERS INTO "HUBS" AND PARTNER WITH FQHCS DEPENDING ON THE NEED

LOBBY FOR THE CONTINUATION OF THE INDEPENDENT BOARD
CCHHS is about to hold a second round of Community Town Hall Meetings:
The Cook County Health and Hospitals System is about to hold a second round of Community Town Hall Meetings to present the System's plan for the future of healthcare in the County. This series of meetings will focus on sharing information gathered during the first series of community meetings, and will give the public another opportunity to comment on the strategic direction of the Health System. The meetings will be held at sites throughout the County in order to get the largest participation possible. A draft of the strategic plan will be available on 10-14-09 at www.cookcountyhealth.net

All meetings begin at 6:00 p.m.
Please attend the meeting in your area.

October 19, 2009
South Suburban College
15800 South State Street
South Holland, Illinois

October 20, 2009
Truman College
1145 West Wilson Avenue
Chicago, Illinois

October 21, 2009
Niles Senior Center
999 Civic Center Drive
Niles, Illinois

October 22, 2009
Math and Science Academy
8601 West Roosevelt Road
Forest Park, Illinois

October 27, 2009
Austin Town Hall Park
5610 West Lake Street
Chicago, Illinois

October 28, 2009
Chicago Urban League
4510 South Michigan Avenue
Chicago, Illinois

October 29, 2009
Cicero Town Hall Community Center (in Spanish)
2250 South 49th Avenue
Cicero, Illinois

Download, share and post the flyer with meeting dates and times
This may be your last your chance to voice your opinions to these dramatic recommendations which will result in significant changes to the System! Health & Medicine strongly urges everyone to attend their local Town Hall Meeting to ensure that they are heard!