For Immediate Release: May 24, 2022
Contact: Kristi Barnes | press@nysna.org | 646-853-4489
**MEDIA ADVISORY FOR TODAY, TUESDAY, MAY 24**
Harris, N.Y.– New York State Nurses Association nurses and 1199SEIU healthcare workers who work at Garnet Health Medical Center – Catskills, Harris Campus will speak out today to demand Garnet Health re-open a recently-closed medical-surgical floor of the hospital, as well as stop the closure of Sullivan County’s only critical care unit. The hospital announced earlier this month that it would temporarily close both essential units.
Sullivan County has consistently ranked as one of the worst counties for health outcomes in New York. With Garnet Health’s announcement to temporarily close the units, Sullivan County residents’ access to healthcare will be disrupted, care delayed, and health outcomes worsened.
Nurses and frontline healthcare workers are especially concerned about the closure of the county’s only critical care unit, which serves as a lifeline for patients throughout the county.
Intensive care unit nurse Susan Vorstadt, RN, said: “If our main critical care unit closes, all critical care patients would be sent to the critical care units outside of Sullivan County. This will cause the entire county to be without an intensive care unit. This has the potential to be unsafe for the patients. Our county already ranks as one of the worst for health outcomes in New York state, and the closings are the very last thing our county needs.”
WHO: NYSNA nurses and 1199SEIU healthcare workers at Garnet Health - Catskills
WHAT: Speak out against the closure of hospital medical-surgical and critical care units
WHERE: Garnet Health Medical Center– Catskills, Harris Campus 68 Harris-Bushville Rd, Monticello, NY 12701 Across the street from the hospital entrance
WHEN: Tuesday, May 24, noon- 1:00 p.m.
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The New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) represents more than 42,000 members in New York State. We are New York’s largest union and professional association for registered nurses. For more information, visit nysna.org.
