March 24th, 2009

Yesterday, Temple University Health System announced that it will close Northeastern Hopsital in the Port Richmond section of the city at the end of June 2009. Reports The Philadelphia Inquirer:

Citing financial problems, Temple University Health System said yesterday it was closing Northeastern Hospital in the city’s Port Richmond section and, with it, yet another of Philadelphia’s maternity wards.

After Northeastern closes at the end of June, only six city hospitals will deliver babies. About 1,800 women a year gave birth at Northeastern.

The hospital will “transition” to a multi-specialty ambulatory-care center by July 1, Temple said.

The announcement caused dismay among employees and community leaders, who worry about whether other hospitals can handle the influx of pregnant women and about the closure’s economic impact.

Full story from the Inquirer here.