Photo c/o Councilman Andy King via Twitter
Councilman King has been a leader on the issue, organizing a rally at the hospital last month to draw awareness to the issue. Photo c/o @Justin_McCallum
Earlier today, New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation’s North Central Bronx Hospital (NCBH) officials, joined byExecutive Director of Jacobi Medical Center and Senior Vice President of the North Bronx Healthcare Network William Walsh, Councilman Andy King, Congressman Charlie Rangel, and representatives from area elected officials, announced plans to reopen the hospital’s Labor and Deliver services by late Summer 2014.
“It was a relief to learn that the New York State Department of Health approved the necessary time to complete all of the steps required for safely restoring maternity services at North Central Bronx Hospital,” said Councilman King. “I want to thank Congress Member Rangel, Public Advocate James, my colleagues in the City Council and the unions for working with HHC and keeping the issue of reopening the labor and delivery unit at NCBH a high priority.”
In 2013, NCBH staff delivered 1,400 babies. The re-opening of the hospital’s maternity unit will mean expectant mothers and their families will not need to travel a long distance for services, as well as less wait times and overcrowding at nearby hospitals, including Montefiore Medical Center’s Wakefield campus and Jacobi Medical Center.
King also stressed the labor benefits: “Additionally, it means employment for more physicians, specialists and staff at North Central Bronx Hospital.”
Norwood and Riverdale Councilman Andy Cohen, had this to say:
“I am pleased that plans have been announced to reopen Labor and Delivery Services at North Central Bronx Hospital. These much needed services are vital for the Norwood community and the borough,” said Cohen. “It is great that our families will once again have high quality, dependable care close to home. Moving forward, I will work with HHC and my colleagues in government to ensure that the resources are in place to safely and effectively provide these important services to patients.”
Congressman Charlie Rangel (below), who has represented the community surrounding the hospital in Congress for two years, said, “HHC [the city hospital network] is largest, fast becoming the best hospital system in the world.”
Photo c/o @Justin_McCallum
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