Politics & Government

SUNY Ambulance Withdrawal Defied Court, Judge Orders Contempt Hearing

The sirens have heen silenced in South Brooklyn, but activists rage on.

In the wake of SUNY Downstate cutting ambulance service from Long Island College Hospital, officials must attend a contempt hearing for defying the temporary restraining order in place since February 20.

Earlier this year, Justice Johnny Lee Baynes had ordered administrators to maintain staffing at LICH until a resolution regarding the fate of the hospital was reached. Redirecting ambulances to University Hospital in East Flatbush effectively puts SUNY in violation and may result in fines or imprisonment.

In the meantime, those being hurt the most by this power play are the patients, say health care workers.

“We are astonished that in the face of a clear order to maintain operations at LICH, Downstate management has issued directives to divert ambulances and transfer patients from LICH,” said Toomas Sorra, MD, President of Concerned Physicians of LICH in a statement. “These directives unnecessarily compromise patient safety. LICH’s Emergency Department is safe, open, fully staffed and ready to receive patients. We implore SUNY management and the Board of Trustees to correct this violation of the court’s order.

University Hospital is located 15 minutes away from Long Island College Hospital. In the event of an emergency facing a nearby resident of Brooklyn, those crucial minutes could make all the difference, members of NYSNA have long argued.

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"LICH nurses, doctors, and caregivers are continuing to provide the very best care to patients, but SUNY is trying to sabotage our hospital at every turn," said Jill Furillo, RN executive director of the New York State Nurses Association in a statement. "We're glad that the Court is taking SUNY's actions—and the impact these actions could have on Brooklyn patients—very seriously. We will continue to do whatever it takes to keep LICH and all Brooklyn hospitals open for care."

SUNY Downstate's Medical Council and President John F. Williams will appear in court on July 15, at 2:30 p.m.

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According to Eliza Bates of NYSNA, "Justice Baynes also mentioned the possibility of assigning a special master to the hospital to ensure that SUNY is complying with the TRO. He set a conference with lawyers from both sides for Monday to review status of compliance." 

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