It has come to my attention that you have submitted a request to the New York State Department of Health to reduce the number of hours of operation of the Emergency department at the Cornwall Campus to 12 hours a day. This would leave the residents of the greater Cornwall community unprotected in critical emergencies during the hours of 10 pm to 10am.
A press release from your office indicated that the Newburgh Campus serves more than 60,000 patients per year and that it is one of the busiest Emergency Departments between Albany and Westchester. That averages to 164 emergency patients a day just at the Newburgh campus. If the Cornwall hours are reduced, that will generate even more stress on the Newburgh facility. It seems from your service numbers we need full time critical care at the Cornwall Campus and closing the facility in the evening hours would jeopardize lives. This would also lengthen the time ambulances would be out of service with extended transports to Newburgh. Back up ambulance crews would have to be assembled putting further demands on our volunteers.
It is quite clear that this decision is purely financial without addressing the community needs. The Cornwall Campus is an integral partner in our regional disaster planning with Stewart Airport and the New York State Thruway in mind.
To call this idea a creative initiative is insulting to the very people you serve. I hope you and the Board of Trustees reconsider your options with patient care as the primary concern. By copy of this letter I am also asking the State Health Department to deny your request.
I am willing to attend a meeting to discuss this matter with you and your Board at any time.
Sincerely,
Kevin W. Hines
Orange County Legislator
Chairman-Public Safety Committee
