Nurses, Community Members to “Jam for Justice,” Demanding HHC Restore Perinatal Service Units Immediately
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 18, 2013
CONTACT:
Jesse Myerson, Jesse.Myerson@nysna.org, 347.688.0241
NURSES, COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO “JAM FOR JUSTICE,” DEMANDING HHC RESTORE PERINATAL SERVICES UNITS IMMEDIATELY
The Bronx – Bowing to public pressure HHC has agreed to restore closed perinatal units to North Central Bronx Hospital, but their plan is set to take 9 months. Bronx moms can't wait that long for care. At 5PM on Monday, November 18, NYSNA RNs and Bronx community members will demand that HHC’s Board of Directors restore services immediately.
What: “Jam for Justice” to get back perinatal services for Bronx moms and children-to-be.
Who: The New York State Nurses Association
When: November 18, 2013, 5PM
Where: Lincoln Medical Center, 234 E 149th St. in the Bronx
Background:
* In August, NCB’s maternity ward closed, causing excessive wait times and overcrowded rooms at Jacobi Medical Center, even though Jacobi brought in more than 100 nurses to absorb the spike in patients.
* Months of community outrage ensued. And elected leaders, like City Councilwoman Letitia James, subsequently elected Public Advocate, joined the protests.
* There were 1,400 deliveries at NCB last year and 1,600 the year before. That means that in 9 months, more than a thousand Bronx babies stand to be shut out of perinatal care at NCB.