Should Prince George’s County Hospital system shut down, roughly 2,300 employees would lose their jobs.
For some, such as doctors, nurses and physical therapists, finding a new job won’t be a problem, according to University of Maryland, College Park assistant professor Cynthia Saunders.
“The people who have difficulty are the real low-skilled like janitors, maybe even nurse aides, maybe some clerical staff,” said Saunders, who focuses on health care issues. “They may have some real difficulty.”
Quincey Gamble, political director for the union that represents 1,800 hospital system workers, said the closure would impact all of them.
“Obviously, there is a need for health care professionals, especially nurses, in the region,” Gamble said, “but it’s still a process to go find jobs and you are still without income.”
Earlier this week, the County Council refused to sign off on deal to save the cash-strapped system.
Dimensions Healthcare runs the county-owned system, which includes Prince George’s Hospital Center and the Glady’s Spellman Specialty Hospital and Nursing Center, both in Cheverly; Laurel Regional Hospital; and the Bowie Health campus.
According to Dimensions Chief Operating Officer John O’Brien, a shut down would leave Doctors Community Hospital in Lanham, Fort Washington Medical Center in Fort Washington and Southern Maryland Hospital Center in Clinton as the county’s only hospitals.
O’Brien argues that “three of them together are not as large” as Prince George’s hospital system, which serves 180,000 people per year.
“I’m sure a number of people would have to leave the area to find other suitable employment,” he said.
University of Maryland, College Park Assistant Public Health Professor Chiehwen Ed Hsu agreed that hospital workers might have to look outside the county for employment. The loss of jobs, he said, “would cause an immediate economic impact in the county.”
Some, like Theresa Jones, a radiology supervisor at the Bowie Campus, expect to find jobs if the system closes.
But others are less confident. Joyce White has worked in the medical records department of Prince George’s Hospital Center for 32 years. A system closure, she said, would “devastate myself and everyone else.”
“Who is going to hire me?” White asked. “I’m going to be 62.”
Prince George’s officials discuss hospital system
Prince George’s officials met Thursday to discuss options for saving the county’s hospital system, according to a spokesman for County Executive Jack Johnson.
John Erzen said he doesn’t know if progress was made, but noted there was plenty to discuss in terms of long- and short-term options.
“I don’t think anybody wants to see the hospital system shut down,” Erzen said.
On Monday before the conclusion of the General Assembly session, Johnson and the state reached an agreement to save Prince George’s County Hospital system, but the County Council wouldn’t OK the plan.
“We do not anticipate the closure of the hospital, and urge the calm, strategic and thoughtful environment necessary to accomplish a long-term, comprehensive approach to a viable health care system,” the council said in a statement.
– Daniel Fowler
