NEW YORK—Long Island College Hospital is still open for business.
After yet another impasse over whether the SUNY owned hospital, would remain open or not, Public Advocate Bill de Blasio got a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) on Friday afternoon to keep it open.
The TRO came on the heels of protestors outside the hospital, supported by Council Member Letitia James, the New York State Nurses Association, the Cobble Hill Association, and others.
De Blasio got the TRO on the grounds that the will of doctors and nurses demanding to keep the facility open cannot be overruled. A copy of the document, posted on the Public Advocate’s website, also cited “immediate and irreparable injury.” He’s due to be in court with SUNY on July 25 for a preliminary injunction hearing.
In a statement, De Blasio said that under the Bloomberg administration, a dozen hospitals have shut down.
“We need continuity of care for this hospital and this neighborhood,” stated De Blasio. “This closure is wrong, it’s immoral and we are going to keep fighting to stop it.”
The TRO came at a tense moment after weeks of fears over the hospital shutting down. Outpatient services were set to end today and doctors were due to be fired next week.
In recent months, SUNY has defended their intention to close the hospital, citing financial considerations. They could not be reached for comment on Friday evening.
