MetroSouth plans Sept. 30 close
MetroSouth Medical Center in Blue Island has told its employees and medical staff it plans to close by Sept. 30.
The hospital has asked permission of state regulators to close but says in the letter it must plan to wind down operations while awaiting a ruling from the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board.
In June, MetroSouth said it would be forced to close the 314-bed hospital by the end of 2019 if a buyer wasn’t found. It has lost 10% of its staff since seeking permission to close.
In a letter to staff dated Monday, MetroSouth CEO John Walsh wrote that “we have explored every option that would preserve at least a portion of the hospital’s current services.”
“There remains no parties committed to assume and maintain the operations of the hospital,” the letter stated. “I understand there are rumors circulating about potential operators, but to date we have found no organization with the resources willing to sign a binding agreement.”
Blue Island Mayor Domingo Vargas disputes MetroSouth’s claims that a buyer hasn’t emerged. Vargas said he knows a potential private buyer and “two other institutions” with interest in purchasing the hospital that has served the south suburbs for over 100 years.
He couldn’t disclose the potential buyers’ names because of confidentiality agreements.
“Right now we are trying to confirm they have the money to buy the hospital and we’ve requested they send us all the financial documents,” Vargas said.
State Rep. Bob Rita, D-Blue Island, called the closing announcement “reckless and irresponsible.”
“MetroSouth’s announcement that they will shut down hospital operations with barely a month’s notice is disappointing and unacceptable,” Rita said Tuesday.