E.J. Noble nurses say hospital closure could be a matter of life or death

Hospital suspension leaves Gouverneur residents 40 miles from next ER

GOUVERNEUR, Oct. 1, 2012 – Nurses in this rural upstate village say the suspension of operations at E.J. Noble Hospital could be a matter of life or death for residents – and they will work with hospital management and state officials to keep it open.

Residents will have to drive more than 40 miles to get to the nearest emergency room, after the state Department of Health suspended operations at the hospital on Friday. Nurses met earlier today with the hospital CEO today to offer their assistance. The 31 registered nurse are represented by the New York State Nurses Association.

“Our community needs this hospital,” said Michelle Denault, RN, an RN at the facility. “Many rural hospitals are struggling and we need help from the state to keep providing care to our community.”

The federal government named E.J. Noble a “sole community provider” in 1992, because it is the only nearby hospital.

The hospital has received aid by the New York Economic Development Council to modernize its facilities.

The Nurses Association is already in touch with local legislators, to continue their support for this vital facility.

The New York State Nurses Association is the voice for nursing in the Empire State. With more than 37,000 members, it is New York’s largest professional association and union for registered nurses. The association represents registered nurses, and some all-professional bargaining units, in New York and New Jersey. It supports nurses and nursing practice through education, research, legislative advocacy, and collective bargaining.

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