WPCNR THE FEINER REPORT. By Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner (EDITED). November 28, 2006: More pressure will be placed on the White Plains Hospital Center Emergency Room if state plans for hospital closings are carried out. (The White Plains Emergency Room now has waits of hours for walk-in minimum trauma patients). Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner reports:

Residents of the river villages must work hard to save our health care facilities. Two major health care centers in Hastings and Dobbs Ferry are in danger of being closed. Community Hospital at Dobbs Ferry and Andrus Retirement Nursing Home in Hastings could be forced out of business if a state commission charged with reorganizing NY’s health care system gets its way.

  The Community Hospital at Dobbs Ferry has served our community since 1893 when the first hospital at Dobbs Ferry was built. This hospital has provided outstanding personalized care to many residents of the River Villages. This hospital is loved by many patients – because of the individualized attention received. Unlike larger medical centers – patients are treated like family and neighbors by the staff and medical professionals.  The hospital provides patients with high quality care.

  The Greenburgh Police Department has used the hospital. In 1997 we expanded our area’s emergency ambulance program. A police office who is a trained paramedic is brought to the scene of every serious emergency ambulance call. Many patients who live in the River Villages are brought to the Community Hospital at Dobbs Ferry. Countless lives have been saved as a result of the outstanding medical attention given to the patients.

  The State Panel is also recommending that Andrus on Hudson close down their nursing home and convert the nursing home into an independent living center.  The nursing home provides important medical services to the frail elderly and meets an important community need.

  If these two important medical centers are forced to close the quality of medical care in our community will be impacted. I have advised the Community Hospital at Dobbs Ferry and Andrus of my interest in working with them on an aggressive lobbying initiative to reverse the recommendations of the state panel.

  It’s my hope that the entire Westchester delegation to the NY State Legislature will work hard to save the Community Hospital at Dobbs Ferry and Andrus on Hudson Nursing home.