Brockton Hospital slated to reopen in May
It will be some time until Brockton Hospital reopens following last week’s 10-alarm electrical fire which promoted the largest emergency response in city history.
The hospital won’t be back until at least May as damage assessments and evaluations continue, Signature Healthcare stated in an update Thursday.
That’s the best case scenario as the estimate “is contingent on supply chain and access to necessary materials,” the company, which oversees Brockton Hospital, said in its update.
“The fire emergency at Brockton Hospital has dramatically impacted our staff and the community,” the update states. “Signature Healthcare’s mission remains unchanged, to support our community and deliver medically necessary services to all in need regardless of status or ability to pay.”
The 10-alarm fire on Feb. 7 broke out in the hospital’s utility room, severely damaging the electrical rooms and knocking out power.
Officials described the response to the fire as a miracle since there were no injuries. Signature Healthcare said 176 patients were safely evacuated.
Area healthcare facilities have been inundated ever since as 138 of the patients were taken for care across the region. That has prompted Signature Medical Group to expand access and hours at its ambulatory locations which are fully staffed and accepting new patients.
Within the next two weeks, two new urgent care centers will open in Brockton. One will be open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 110 Liberty St., and the other at 650 Centre St.
When Brockton Hospital does reopen, it will have limited inpatient services as more services will be phased in after that, Signature Healthcare states in its update.
Those looking to donate to assist in further fire recovery efforts can do so on Signature’s website.
“Our incredible staff continues to rise to the occasion,” officials stated in the update. “Since immediate efforts to safely evacuate and transport patients without incident subsided, our teams have been working day and night to provide solutions for our community’s healthcare needs and to provide much-needed access.”