Vibra Healthcare Nurses to Take Action Monday, Jan. 22 outside Worcester-Area Hospital as They Urge Vibra to 'Be Fair to Those Who Care'

ROCHDALE, Mass., Jan. 19, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The registered nurses of Vibra Hospital, represented by the Massachusetts Nurses Association, will leaflet the public and hold banners outside Vibra Hospital of Western Massachusetts - Central Campus in Rochdale to advocate for their patient's transitional care during the closure of their hospital in Springfield and to encourage Vibra Healthcare to be fair to its employees being affected by the closure.

"Vibra Healthcare needs to be held accountable for protecting patients and the Springfield community during its closure," said Vibra Springfield RN Alex Wright. "This company, which earns more than $100 million in revenue and has hospitals nationwide, also has a responsibility to be fair to those who care for its patients. Our patients are severely sick and deserve equal or better care. Our staff have dedicated themselves to caring for our patients and deserve a fair transition as the hospital closes."

Public Action
Date: Monday, Jan. 22
Time: 2 to 4 p.m.
Location: Vibra Hospital of Western Massachusetts - Central Campus at 111 Huntoon
Memorial Hwy in Rochdale, MA.

Vibra Hospital, formerly Kindred Hospital, has a long history in Springfield. The hospital was originally Springfield Municipal Hospital and has been providing care to members of the community since 1952. There are 61 MNA members, including 14 who have cared for patients at the hospital for 15 years or more.

In a letter to the MNA dated November 15, Vibra Hospital of Western Massachusetts, a division of the national company Vibra Healthcare, announced plans to close its Springfield campus, including its psychiatric facility, nursing home behavioral health unit and a long-term, acute care hospital. Vibra stated that the reasons for closure included changes in reimbursement, a decrease in referrals from acute care hospitals and an inability to maintain the facility.

Vibra provided an initial 30-day notice of its intent to file a 90-day notice of intent to close with the state Department of Public Health in November 2017. A public hearing hosted by DPH was held on January 11.

Vibra said it intends to keep open its New Bedford and Rochdale locations. Vibra, headquartered in Mechanicsburg, PA, operates 92 facilities in 18 states, according to its website. The for-profit company makes more than $100 million annually in revenue.

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Founded in 1903, the Massachusetts Nurses Association is the largest union of registered nurses in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Its 23,000 members advance the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the economic and general welfare of nurses in the workplace, projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and by lobbying the Legislature and regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public.

SOURCE Massachusetts Nurses Association