October 21, 2002

Jameson Memorial Hospital Expands Emergency Department

New Castle, Pennsylvania:  Jameson Memorial Hospital today announced upgrades to its Emergency Department in order to facilitate emergency medical care along with the opening of additional units for acute care services.  Jameson is working with the Pennsylvania Department of Health to accommodate the health care needs of the Lawrence County community, especially the city who have utilized the St. Francis facility.  We hope to accommodate the health needs of the people of New Castle at both facilities. 

This coincides with an announcement by St. Francis Hospital that it will close its Emergency Department at its facilities on South Mercer Street effective October 31, 2002, and the closing of their acute care services on October 18, 2000. 

The expanded Emergency Department at Jameson Memorial Hospital will include:

·   Increased number of staff

·   Increased number of beds

·   Increased cardiac monitoring

·   Agreements with area ambulance services as to Emergency Department location(s).

Jameson has been successful in opening additional units in the hospital, as well as increasing their staffing to address the need for additional acute care services in the community due to the St. Francis announcement. 

Jameson Health System is committed to a new era of leadership in healthcare for the people of Lawrence County during this period of transition and beyond.

“Providing quality healthcare for the people who live and work in Lawrence County, as well as for those who visit here, is our first priority,” said Thomas White, President and CEO of Jameson Health System.

Jameson Health System has agreed in principal to purchase assets of St. Francis Hospital, New Castle.  “This transaction is expected to be finalized on October 31, 2002,” said Thomas White. 

Douglas Danko, Vice President of Professional Services, who will oversee the transition of services between Jameson and St. Francis, said that Jameson Health System would not comment on details related to the acquisition until it has been finalized.  He did say that one exception is the planned upgrades to Emergency Department care, because the Pennsylvania Department of Health requires advance public notice of intentions to close an emergency medical facility, as St. Francis Hospital is doing.

“In addition, we all believe that by combining the good people of both institutions, we can secure a strong future for healthcare in our community,” said White.

 “We all need to be sensitive to the many issues affecting our patients, our employees and our community as a whole,” he said.

"We are working through the purchase agreement, and we have an orderly transition plan ready for implementation including effective utilization of the former St. Francis facility,” said White.  “We will make information available to everyone involved in the transition and to our community in a timely manner as we move forward.”

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