BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – Brevard County Fire Rescue will soon no longer be allowed to transport patients to Orlando Health Rockledge Hospital.
Starting April 7, the change comes about two weeks before the hospital is scheduled to close. The hospital group announced it would close Rockledge Hospital, citing years of facility neglect and costly repairs.
Orlando Dominguez, the county’s assistant fire chief, says Orlando Health’s shutdown plans are going to negatively impact patient care.
“Not only is that area vacant as far as an emergency department, but our transport times are going to double in addition to that because once we get to the facility, then chances are they’re going to be overwhelmed,” Dominguez said.
[EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos]
The Cocoa City Council approved a resolution urging Orlando Health to reconsider closing the hospital and for the state to possibly get involved.
It was discussed during a city council meeting last week that while Rockledge looks into taking control of the hospital itself, a state medical zoning law prohibits towns and cities from doing so. The message now heads to Tallahassee in hopes the state government can step in and help.
Orlando Health says the facility is is such bad shape that it would be cheaper to build a new facility.
Orlando Health said it was aware before buying Rockledge Hospital that it was in poor condition after years of neglect. The true extent, however, was discovered during inspections conducted after the acquisition.
“It was determined that the cost to repair and renovate Rockledge Hospital far exceeds the cost of a new, state-of-the-art hospital,” an Orlando Health announcement read.
The hospital is currently set to close on April 22.
The healthcare system said it has established a transition team to assist patients, physicians, and team members affected by the closure.