PAWTUCKET, R.I. (AP) — The Rhode Island Department of Health wants to get the public’s opinion this week on Care New England’s plan to scale back services at Memorial Hospital.
The hospital announced last month that it will eliminate a number of positions as well as its maternity ward and intensive care unit. A proposal was submitted March 2 to the health department.
The health department scheduled three public meetings to find out how the changes would impact patients and the community. The first was held Monday evening. The other two will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday and 4 p.m. Thursday.
The Providence Journal reports that residents on Monday urged state health officials not to approve closing the obstetrics unit.
Care New England took over Memorial in 2013.
