The staff of St. John's Queens Hospital will be holding a rally in front of the hospital tomorrow at 11am to draw attention to the plight of workers and patients who will be impacted by its closure. The State of New York can keep the doors of the hospital open until a takeover by North Shore-LIJ is worked out.Photo from Queens Tribune
44 comments:
North Shore is behind the closure so that they can buy the property at a firesale price.
The department of health is in bed with North Shore - LIJ.
It would be very convenient for NS LIJ to step in and offer a price to the state once the hospital has declared bankruptcy and proceeds with closure. They can then get the area free of debt, can tear it down and rebuild their "state of the art" facility as they flaunted in our faces.
But how about administration?....you know the hospital is closing yet you send your employees to a 4 hour class to learn a new computer system regarding data entry, supposedly this service is to start 2/10...why was money wasted on this when it looks like the units will be effectively closed by the first two weeks in feb. Who is going to use this new system???The ghosts that remain behind? From the beginning there has always been poor financial managing by the board of directors and administration. Wyckoff should have never been allowed to purchase the hospitals when they were in their own financial difficulties. IT does seem funny that the first hospital that bought us (SVCMC) is now doing just fine after it absorbed everything it could from all the catholic medical centers and then began to close them one by one. Now Wyckoff seems to be doing much better and we are sinking...how much of our hard earned money went to Wyckoff?!!! I'm angry, I have no faith in the administration of this hospital and am currently looking for another job very quickly. I can only wish the best to my fellow employees and can only pray for the patients who live in the areas that St Johns and MIH served. They better hope that EMS can fly and that the hospital they are now being taken to has not gone on diversion due to the new influx of patients seeking care. GOD HELP US ALL! AND GOVERNOR PATTERSON....WHERE ARE YOU...OUR UNION HELPED PUT YOU IN THE SEAT YOU NOW HOLD, HOW DARE YOU TURN YOUR BACK ON US IN THIS HOUR OF NEED!
You are right.
To find out what is going on all one needs to do is to see who will benefit with the closure of St. John's.
1. Wycoff- increase their bottom line -avoid bankrupcy themselves- steal our talent and doctors- increased admissions
2. North Shore LIJ- fire sale of St. John's and ability to get rid of 1199.
The current administrators have ties to North Shore LIJ and both have ties to Department of Health which ordered the closures.
The Board of Trustees of Caritas (St. John's and Mary Immaculate) are from Wycoff - so they have an interest in closing St. John's and Mary Immaculate-
There is no one to protect the interests of St. John's and Mary Immaculate.
Someone needs to investigate.
Where is Andrew Cuomo ??
Where is the press ??
Corruption is rampant.
Absolutely.....just like Enron, MIH and St. Johns were brought down by financial wrong-doings, bad administrative decisions, and a self-serving Board of Trustees who cared very little about the shareholders(in this case patients) in the community of Jamaica.
Everyone can point fingers in every direction they choose. With the exception of the very real problem of indigent care and the financial drain it puts on a hospital, I think the rest of the blame falls fair and square on the hospitals and the perceived quality (or lack thereof) of care that it renders. I am not alone in stating that if I needed care, I would take my chances and hop a cab (only a cell phone call away to 911 if I could not make it) to a prestigious Manhattan hospital where I know I would be receiving state of the art care. Outcome studies for emergencies support going to large teaching hospitals. I know this will anger some but I think there needs to be some ownership of the problem of why so many hospitals in Queens and some in Brooklyn are disappearing and being swallowed up by larger systems. It is more than financial. Unfortunately, while a large system can shore up the financial hemorrhage, the people rendering care in the acquired hospitals usually remain the same and the quality does not change.
Well the rally went really good.I was there as well as many others,including many from the political world.The sad part is how the hell did they go broke? Anyone that reads this should email Andrew M.Cuomo had demand he open up a investigation on how these 2 hospitals were bleed dry! http://www.oag.state.ny.us/ 2 news teams were there 7/4.. Hopefully this will as they say "open up a can of worms".. There is a planed rally Tuesday 1/27/09 on the steps of city hall. Also it is my understanding what info was given to me from employees that layoff letters went out Friday 1/23/09...
I have worked at SJQH for a very very long time. The flagship of CMC...now about to be reduced to rubble. The only future for MIH and SJQH relies on political intervention...and that's a hailmary with two seconds on the clock.
What happened to these institutions? Years of neglect, poor management, and the failure to provide vital services and modern technology. What we cant provide someone else will...and capitalize on that. Also, the incompetence of the HR Dept to reprimand union employees...when needed. SJQH is a perfect example of the "tail wagging the dog"!!!
WHATEVER THE MEGA NORTH SHORE LIJ WANTS THE MEGA NORTH SHORE LIJ GETS
I've met so many wonderful people at St.John's that it breaks my heart to know that they are now being layed off. St.John's saved my mother's life and countless times has been there for me. I feel that one rally isn't enough. There needs to be more! It is my hope that Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand will reach out to us and help. Our community needs this hospital!!
It is of no surprise the political merry go round that the administration of St.Johns Hospital has taken its employess on has finally started slowing down and is getting ready to come to a stop.
The powers that be, the upper eschalons of that Hospital has given staff, the traditional one-finger salute. Its ridiculous to think that they really care about you, after decades of dedicated service. These are the ones that command six and seven figure salaries! We have LOST!! The families..We have LOST! If this whole episode goes to kangaroo court..We all know the end result! We the LITTLE GUY got screwed!
Not even the decency to offer a settlement package. The cold blooded tactics of management at work here folks and then they give you the "i'm sorry" routine. Someone needs to step in on this and save countless lives here. I believe in the saying "desperate times call for desperate measures"
I also have worked at St. John's for the last six years. I offer damn good care to my patients, I treat them the same way I would want my own family treated. I would say that almost all of the hospital staff does the same. Yes, there are a few bad apples and yes, the union should have allowed the firing of these people instead of finding some way to help them keep their positions but isn't that what all unions do? It's hard to swallow that all are labeled as giving poor quality service because of just a few. Irregardless of this, closing two more hospitals in Queens puts all Queens residents at risk. How many additional deaths does the department of health want on its hands? Where do the sick people go? You will see the area hospitals going on diversion more often as there will be absolutely NO ROOM at the inn! I hope all the consultants and higher administration sleep well at night with their millions. I would love to be there to hear their answer when the higher power asks them "How could you kill so many and save so few? Was it worth it?"
According to the WARN act, employees are to be given 60 days notice of closure. Well, we received notification on Friday that the hospital intends to close by the end of February. If my math serves me correctly, that is a little over 30 days, not 60. So, if they can't even figure out what 60 days notification is, that gives you an idea how poorly administration handled the finances of the hospital!
I could understand the need for a closure if a hospital is half full. SJQH is full. This closure will endanger the lives of thousands. This will cause a HEALTH CARE CRISIS in Queens. We have to make noise !!!!! SHAME ON YOU DAVID PATTERSON. SHAME ON YOU RICHARD DAINES !!!!!! This hospital is needed. This hospital... NOT ON THE BERGER COMMISION for closure. We need our elected officials to join us on the steps of City Hall on Tuesday @ 12. Let the State hear our collective voices.
If the workers of St. John’s and Mary Immaculate Hospitals would have worked and put in half the effort they are putting into these rallies they would not be in this predicament. The sad truth is that when you have a mixture of a selfish administration, greedy physicians and lazy workers the end result is total destruction. The hospitals are in very poor conditions, the health care received at these facilities is way below standards and outright deplorable. If you ask me the closure of these sites will better serve the community.
Wow! There's a hell of lot of anger out there about this. AND even more assumption. All of this negative energy won't do ANYTHING.
A few key points:
- neither Wyckoff or St. Vincent's are just fine; they are in deep financial doo do as well. Most NYC hospitals are distressed b/c of the patient population we serve -- indigent, un-insured or under insured. We aren't alone, just the current target for the state gov't to go after.
-Believe it or not, Wyckoff actually did us a favor, we were allowed to stay open an additional 2 years -- if the two hospitals has remained with SVCMC -- we would have closed in the first quarter of 2007.
---In bankruptcy, North Shore has to bid on the properties like any other interested party. They will be up against any other developer that might want the land.
-We are all to blame for the failure of the organization:
--- Administration couldn't get its act together under the revolving door of our of town consultants with
--- The rednecks in the prior administration couldn't discern between reality and the very thick smoke that was being blown up there butts by the physicians.
--- The finance office still cannot get their arms around the issues of re-imbursement. In fact the current CFO doesn't even care enough to try to remedy the situation.
---The physician leadership was concerned, first and foremost, about stature and how much money they could bleed from the system. That group follows the hypocritic oath.
---A large number of staff were more concerned about avoiding work, rather than patient care. Many more had no clue how to be compassionate. It was so sad to hear how paitents and co-workers would be spoken to, how work would be avoided and how poor performing employees would not be dealt with by the management team.
This had lead to a disasterous mix that puts the organization in the state it is in.
One thing that the vast majority of people who work there need to remember, you have done your very best. Many of the things that are currently happening are unfortunately out of our control. We can stay angry at the world forever, or do something constructive -- fight the good fight, get your friends families and enemies to petition the governor (this is all about Albany), Sheldon Silver and that wishy washy Malcolm Smith to stop this trainwreck.
If we are going to go out let's do it with dignity, advocasy and most of all with the care of the patients as our first priority.
I agree that the lack of physician leadership in this hospital crisis was absolutely unacceptable. Over the several years, physician leaders, Chairs of Departments, etc., allowed continued cuts in their departments with the subsequent deterioation of the quality of care that they could provide. As long as their salaries were protected, these physician leaders voiced no opinion on the downward course of the hospital.....those physicians know who you are, and shame on you.
I take exception to the statement that small community hospitals cannot render effective,quality care. I have been a nurse @ St. John's hospital for over 30 years, and I have always given my Patients excellent care. If you are really sick, you better pray that u have someone like me taking care of you.Just because you go to a large hospital doesn't guarantee excellent care.
It will be heartbreaking if Mary Immaculate and St. JOHN'S closes.There are alot of dedicated professionals that work there.
It doesn't take a genius to realize that all of the consulting firms hired to solve the problems at St. John's have one thing in common- Greed. They should have been hired on the proviso that they would get the bulk of their money when they improved the financial status and viability of the institution.
Instead millions of dollars have been thrown away on such groups. The money could have been used to renovate and restructure.
Someone, like the attorney general's office needs to investigate.
These people got paid to fail,and that is just what they did.Some of the people who sit on the hospital board have their own personal agendas,and that does not seem to be the viability of the institution.
Shutting down the hospital wil only punish a very large community that deserves,and needs medical care. Sure, it needs to be restructured,modernized, and rid of some dead wood. That could and should be done.
I am an ex-employee of St.John's who worked there for 10 years.Sure it is sad and destrutive to the community it serves but it was bound to happen. It is a combination of poor administration and the union that it has come to this point. Employees needed to understand that they were there to serve a community and if they failed to do that job then they would no longer be employed. Those "bad apples" were always saved by the union and the reputation of the hospital suffered. On the other end administration or lack thereof caused the institution its financial destruction. The hospital is in a prime location and it was never used to its advantage. The takeovers have always been the excuse to its failure.Now all they are worried about is having North Shore LIJ buying out the facility and getting rid of this "union". Maybe this would be a good thing.
I have been working for North Shore LIJ Health System for the past 5 years and understand why they are so successful. My facility has no union and the employees take pride in their workplace. St. John's needs a good clean up. And by the way there are facilities within the NSLIJ that are union.
I've been an RN at SJQ for 41years. My entire youth was spent working, caring and treating the community. I am absolutely heartbroken that it all has to end like this. What is the union going to do for a good number in my situation. My intention was to work to 62 and retire with full pension. Now what? 1199 contributing hospitals for RNs are few. How can they accomodate all of us? That means after 41 years of dedicated work, we walk away with nothing. I am pleading for the union to come forth and address this situation.
The union isn't going to do squat for you - while this was going on they were more concerned with partying at the inauguration.
Where is 1199? No...I dont expect them to prevent the closure of the hospital. I expect them to setup a table in the cafeteria and inform/guide the members on closure. How long do we receive medical benefits and etc. They sure come by quickly when they need something...like political action fund contributions. As far as I am concerned, the organizer that represents SJQH is incompetent and useless. If you were at the last town hall meeting she spoke and proved that all on her own.
I definitely did have the pleasure of working with many outstanding employees..union and non union.
Wow...closing..I worked there for 18 years and we had become a family. When I moved out of state I truly missed the family I had.
I have now found a new family in Florida and hope what happened to St.John's doesn't happen here.
I will say...compared to Florida hospitals....it does need a total makeover. I wish everyone luck with their job search.
St. Johns is in trouble because AH promoted all of these Administrative Directors. That’s a big reason why we are losing money and can not stay afloat. Some of these incompetent directors should have been fired years ago. They could not run the corner store, but some of these large body directors should look into running a donut shop in the near future because they will not be able to land a decent job due to their incompetence and would not be able to afford the donuts that they gobble down every day. Too many inept chiefs!
St. John's Queens Hospital has been serving the Queens community well. Members of my family have been patients in this hospital and we received good care. There are good staff and bad ones. If it continues its service, it should keep its good staff and let go of the incompetent and troublemakers.
The union must stop defending the undeserving troublemaker RN who disrespects the hospital, its administrations, disobeys management & harasses co-workers. Ditto for the lazy PCAs and transporters who complain a lot and don't want to work. These troubled staff only divides, intimidates and makes working conditions difficult for the rest of the staff, resulting in poor client care.
1199 is another problem!The politicaly correct give them what they want, never expecting the well (tax payer money) to run dry. Members of 1199 wake-up your Union is all show and no go! Join a real Union that is accountable and responsible!
Why is AH making so much money?
Rumor has it that North Shore is in contract to buy the gas station next door. whats next?
AH? So much money.. 250k is not a lot of money for a vp its not 1933 my friend.
250K is not much for a VP in 2009 if the VP is competent. The results speak for themselves! Or should I say, the lack of results.
The real question is Patterson as dumb as he is blind to approve money for SJQH? This institution will certainly face the same money issues in the future just as it has in the past no matter how much money you give it. NSLIJ has the right plan and a competent management team to provide decades worth of quality healthcare to Queens residents. Who in their right mind could argue that?
LIJ has the right plan and a competent management team? What is the plan and who are the team members? This ain't Manhasset or Oakland Gardens, let's remember. SJQH and MIH cater to the indigent and illegal populations. Old ladies from nursing homes on Medicaid and Pablo with no insurance and no cash with his 5 kids aged 10 months apart who have runny noses and Tamika on the public dole dropping baby number 6 and such.
Bankrupcy-the end. Severence for the union employees? Only if the court approves it. Management? Of course!!
AH and CM already recieved their severance in advance with their obscene salaries!
What about thier (AH and CM...aka Flounder) expense accounts???
Healthcare is really in the crapper. It's all about money and power and not the patients. It would not surprise me to see NSLIJ scoop up the property once it's closed.
SJQ and MIH have been providing a service to the community. They have ben struggling for years yet staff has for the most part worked very hard. I was at SJQ for short time and saw the dedication. I also saw the abuse of power that was at play and hurt many staff. Something has to give; focus on patient care and clean up the mess. Money driven healthcare goes only one way.
GOvernment is Pouring Bilions and Trillion Dollars into Financial and Banks
Government dont have money to Save Hospitals and People Health
Please, don't expect nothing from others. Just send to the bank 1U$S dollar each of us. Tell people to do the same, a dollar to St'John's and if we are a lot of people we can make the difference.
One dolar each, we can save the hospital that close tomorrow, we can save the hospital of our children.
THE TRUTH IS OUT!
We (the employees and the patients) have become political pawns. Today, management had several of our doctors escorted from St. John’s because these doctors had the courage to ask why doesn’t the Caritas board approve a sale to a group of Private Investors? These investors ask for no public dollars, they have a Business Plan and are assuming the risk with their own dollars, not the tax payers. The board and management’s answered these doctors questions by calling the Police. So, much for involving us in the process! It has become clear that for what ever reason, a certain organization does not want us to survive. Talk about Corporate Greed!
We can take this in a supine position or we can start to fight back by demanding that the board and the current administration resign immediately!
For the past couple of years we the employees have been exposed to CM's tyranny! We can overcome this by mobilizing against him. We only have a couple of days left, if we do nothing, we will go down like Enron. We still have an opportunity to stay in business if we can remove King Chris from office and have fresh leadership take another look and approach at the situation. There are private investors that believe that they can make our facility work. Why aren't they alowed to purchase the facility. MIH has been heading for disaster for a considerable period of time. Chris has appeared to have been willing to allow the hospital to continue on a self-destructive course and when someone got in his way (whistle blowers), he fired them. Chris should be forced to resign before we are terminated!
Chris is now attempting a backrom deal to remain at his current salary of a quarter of a million dollars for the next year by staying after the closing to account for the inventory. This could last for years, don't beleive me, the St. Mary's closure team is still employed by St. Vincents.
for some reason the management of sjq never wanted the hospital to succeed. The waste that went on in every department was never addressed even though employees brought it to their attention. It is so sad to see the deplorable way this institution is being closed. No respect for the employees or the patients.
Who authorized the removal of bankruptcy materials?
I thought that Caritas is in bankruptcy. Why are we selling off office furniture to another healthcare corporation? Why was furniture taken out of St. John’s and delivered to Jamaica Hospital this week? Is Annette Hastings looking to secure her future employment? Did money change hands? Is the bankruptcy court aware of this? Is there a secrete warehouse (like during the St. Vincent’s bankruptcy and Joe’s closing) where valuable equipment is being hidden and stored? These questions need to be answered!
The closing of ST JOHN'S HOSPITAL is not only a trajedy for the surrounding community,but also for the employees. Patients WILL DIE. The empolyees are having a difficult time finding jobs. There are thousands of nurses in this city who are out of work - there are very few jobs. The employees are having a difficult time with the closing- DEPRESSION< POOR SLEEP< HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE< CHEST PAIN< ANGER< SADNESS and GRIEF.
Last nights candle light vigil complete with black/purple bundting, bagpipes, and prayers were appropriate.For the closing of ST JOHN'S QUEENS IS A DEATH!!!!!
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