Hospital forum set for March 18

Christina Daly/Herald

Nearly 2½ years after Hurricane Sandy forced the closure of the Long Beach Medical Center, residents will finally have an opportunity to hear from South Nassau Communities Hospital about its plans for an emergency department in town and the medical center’s campus at a public information session next Wednesday, March 18.

The hospital said last Friday that an “information day” will be held at the Long Beach Hotel, at 405 E. Broadway, from noon to 6 p.m., at which residents will be able to speak to hospital officials about their plans for the former LBMC campus and health care services on the barrier island.

“The exchange of information and the questions and comments received during the session will be welcomed and valued by our project team and will be used as a guide for us as we embark on the next phase of South Nassau’s mission to provide a high-quality healthcare delivery system that meets the needs of the communities now and in the many years to follow,” Richard Murphy, South Nassau’s president and chief executive officer, said in a statement.

The event is being described, however, as an information “fair” and not a town hall-style meeting, which many residents have been calling for. Local officials and residents also criticized the time of the forum, saying that most people will be unable to attend because they will be at work. City Council President Len Torres and Vice President Fran Adelson called on South Nassau to reschedule the meeting at a more convenient time.

“The middle of a weekday makes it quite challenging for a significant number of our residents to attend,” Adelson said. “After dealing with all the issues regarding [Hurricane] Sandy, and not having 24-hour medical services, our residents are deserving of better communication from South Nassau. If they insist on this time, then we ask for another forum, within a short time frame, that would be conducive to having the most people attend, during the evening or on a weekend.”