Former nurse raises concerns about Claxton-Hepburn surgical services
A former Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center nurse told the Ogdensburg City Council that ending obstetrics services could affect other surgical care at the hospital.
By the ClickNNY North Country Desk
A former Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center nurse raised concerns to the Ogdensburg City Council about the future of surgical services if the hospital ends child delivery services.
Jennifer Shaver addressed the council Aug. 10. She said elective and emergency surgeries are currently performed at the hospital and argued that obstetrics and surgical care are connected. North Star Health Alliance has announced plans to seek state Department of Health approval to end obstetrics services while the health system addresses bankruptcy proceedings.
A public hearing on the proposal drew more than 300 people to Ogdensburg Free Academy in July. Public comment ended Aug. 5, and no update was provided.
Shaver also said nurses had been laid off and surgical staff schedules had changed. Her concerns about a separate plan affecting non-elective surgeries were not independently verified.
This story was written from a community submission and reviewed by a ClickNNY editor before publication.
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