Hospital essential service closures

Find information about pending and completed essential service closures at Massachusetts hospitals and learn more about the essential service closure process.

Disclaimer

The Department of Public Health (DPH) is committed to achieving meaningful accessibility to this online environment for all users, including users with disabilities. We recognize that this version the Essential Service Closure Documentation may not work for all users. If you are a user with visual impairments who needs alternative access to the documents, please contact the Bureau of Health Care Safety and Quality at [phone] or by email at [e-mail].

Essential service closure process overview

An “essential service” is a service defined in the Hospital Licensure regulation at 105 CMR 130.020 that a Massachusetts hospital is licensed to provide. When a hospital decides to discontinue services within their facility or satellite campuses, there are several requirements that it must fulfill before it can complete the closure. This process is outlined in the Hospital Licensure regulations at 105 CMR 130.122.

The essential service closure process provides a mechanism for DPH to review a proposed closure or reduction in services and to ensure that measures have been put in place to minimize the impact on the community and address concerns that have been brought to DPH’s attention. However, DPH cannot legally require a hospital to keep a service open.​

1. First, at least 120 days before the proposed closure date, the hospital must notify DPH of its intent to submit formal notification about the intended discontinuation of services.  The hospital must also notify those impacted by the service closure, including the hospital’s patient and family council, hospital staff, labor organizations representing the hospital’s workforce, and local and state elected officials.
2. The hospital must then submit a formal 90-day notice of the closure to DPH, which must be provided at least 90 calendar days before the proposed closure date.
3. DPH is required to hold a public hearing on the proposed closure of an essential service at least 60 days prior to the proposed closure date and publish a notice of a public hearing in the legal notice section of local newspaper(s) at least 21 calendar days prior to the date of the hearing. The public hearing provides interested parties the opportunity to share comments and concerns with DPH about the proposed closure.
4. Following the hearing, DPH will provide the hospital with a determination within 15 days as to whether the service provided by the hospital is necessary for preserving access and health status within the hospital’s service area.
5. If DPH finds the service to be necessary, the hospital is required to submit a plan for assuring access to DPH within 15 days of the finding.
6. DPH will review this plan and if more information is needed, send the hospital written comments within 10 day of receiving the plan. The hospital must then submit a response to any comments by DPH within 10 days. This concludes the essential service closure process, and the hospital may continue with the proposed closure at this time.

Pending and recent hospital essential service closures

2025

MetroWest Medical Center – Framingham Union Hospital Inpatient Pediatric Service

• 120-day notice of intent to discontinue services – Level II NICU (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Supplement to 120-day notice of intent to discontinue services – Level II NICU (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Notice of Public Hearing - English (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Notice of Public Hearing – Haitian Creole (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Notice of Public Hearing - Spanish (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Notice of Public Hearing - Portuguese (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Notice of Public Hearing - Russian (PDF) | (DOCX)

PAM Health Specialty Hospital of Stoughton – Neuro Behavioral Unit

• 120-day notice of intent to discontinue services (PDF) | (DOCX)

2024

On July 26, 2024, Steward Health Care announced plans to close Carney Hospital in Dorchester and Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer. These two facilities are winding down operations, and both are scheduled to close August 31, 2024. Visit Steward Health Care transitions for more information.

Norwood Hospital

In-Person Hearing: Monday, October 21, 2024, 6pm EST at Four Points by Sheraton Norwood (1125 Boston Providence Turnpike, Norwood, MA 02062)

Virtual Public Hearing: Tuesday, October 22nd, 2024, at 6pm EST
Phone Number: 888-324-7183
Passcode: 9395560

Norwood closure plan and DPH response to the closure plan

• Norwood Closure Plan (PDF) | (DOCX)
• DPH Response to Closure Plan (PDF) | (DOCX)

Arabic

• Norwood Response to DPH Comments Arabic (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Infusion Patient Letter Arabic (PDF) | (DOCX)
• OT Patient Letter Arabic (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Physician Infusion Letter Arabic (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Specialty Letter Radiation Therapy Arabic (PDF) | (DOCX)

Haitian Creole

• Norwood Response to DPH Comments Haitian Creole (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Infusion Patient Letter Haitian Creole (PDF) | (DOCX)
• OT Patient Letter Haitian Creole (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Physician Infusion Letter Haitian Creole (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Specialty Letter Radiation Therapy Haitian Creole (PDF) | (DOCX)

Portuguese

• Norwood Response to DPH Comments Portuguese (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Infusion Patient Letter Portuguese (PDF) | (DOCX)
• OT Patient Letter Portuguese (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Physician Infusion Letter Portuguese (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Specialty Letter Radiation Therapy Portuguese (PDF) | (DOCX)

Russian

• Norwood Response to DPH Comments Russian (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Infusion Patient Letter Russian (PDF) | (DOCX)
• OT Patient Letter Russian (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Physician Infusion Letter Russian (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Specialty Letter Radiation Therapy Russian (PDF) | (DOCX)

Spanish

• Norwood Response to DPH Comments Spanish (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Infusion Patient Letter Spanish (PDF) | (DOCX)
• OT Patient Letter Spanish (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Physician Infusion Letter Spanish (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Specialty Letter Radiation Therapy Spanish (PDF) | (DOCX)

Vietnamese

• Norwood Response to DPH Comments Vietnamese (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Infusion Patient Letter Vietnamese (PDF) | (DOCX)
• OT Patient Letter Vietnamese (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Physician Infusion Letter Vietnamese (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Specialty Letter Radiation Therapy Vietnamese (PDF) | (DOCX)

Norwood Public Hearing Information

• Notice of public hearing (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Norwood notice of intent to close (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Norwood notice of intent to close #2 (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Norwood notice of public hearing in Arabic (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Norwood notice of public hearing in European Portuguese (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Norwood notice of public hearing in Hatian Creole (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Norwood notice of public hearing in Russian (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Norwood notice of public hearing in Spanish (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Norwood notice of public hearing in Vietnamese (PDF) | (DOCX)

Carney Hospital

In Person Public Hearing: Tuesday, August 13, 2024, 6:00PM at Florian Hall, 55 Hallet Street, Boston, MA 02122

Virtual Public Hearing: Wednesday, August 14, 2024, 6:00PM

• Carney notice of intent to close #1 (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Carney notice of intent to close #2 (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Carney notice of public hearing (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Carney notice of public hearing in Brazilian Portuguese (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Carney notice of public hearing in Vietnamese (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Carney notice of public hearing in Simplified Chinese (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Carney notice of public hearing in Traditional Chinese (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Carney notice of public hearing in Spanish (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Carney notice of public hearing in Haitian Creole (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Carney notice of public hearing in Cape Verdean Creole (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Carney notice of public hearing in European Portuguese (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Carney notice of public hearing in Gujarati (PDF) | (DOCX)

Carney closure plan and DPH response to the closure plan

• Carney Closure Plan (PDF) | (DOCX), August 12, 2024
  • Appendix A (PDF) | (DOCX)
    • Appendix A in English (PDF) | (DOCX)
    • Appendix A in Spanish (PDF) | (DOCX)
    • Appendix A in Gujarati (PDF) | (DOCX)
    • Appendix A in Haitian Creole (PDF) | (DOCX)
    • Appendix A in Cape Verdean Creole (PDF) | (DOCX)
    • Appendix A in European Portuguese (PDF) | (DOCX)
    • Appendix A in Brazilian Portuguese (PDF) | (DOCX)
    • Appendix A in Vietnamese (PDF) | (DOCX)
    • Appendix A in Simplified Chinese (PDF) | (DOCX)
    • Appendix A in Traditional Chinese (PDF) | (DOCX)
  • Appendix B (PDF) | (DOCX)
  • Appendix C (PDF) | (DOCX)
    • Appendix C in English (PDF) | (DOCX)
    • Appendix C in Spanish (PDF) | (DOCX)
    • Appendix C in Gujarati (PDF) | (DOCX)
    • Appendix C in Hatian Creole (PDF) | (DOCX)
    • Appendix C in Cape Verdean Creole (PDF) | (DOCX)
    • Appendix C in European Portuguese (PDF) | (DOCX)
    • Appendix C in Brazilian Portuguese (PDF) | (DOCX)
    • Appendix C in Vietnamese (PDF) | (DOCX)
    • Appendix C in Simplified Chinese (PDF) | (DOCX)
    • Appendix C in Traditional Chinese (PDF) | (DOCX)
  • Appendix D (PDF) | (DOCX)
    • Appendix D in English (PDF) | (DOCX)
    • Appendix D in Spanish (PDF) | (DOCX)
    • Appendix D in Gujarati (PDF) | (DOCX)
    • Appendix D in Hatian Creole (PDF) | (DOCX)
    • Appendix D in Cape Verdean Creole (PDF) | (DOCX)
    • Appendix D in European Portuguese (PDF) | (DOCX)
    • Appendix D in Brazilian Portuguese (PDF) | (DOCX)
    • Appendix D in Vietnamese (PDF) | (DOCX)
    • Appendix D in Simplified Chinese (PDF) | (DOCX)
    • Appendix D in Traditional Chinese (PDF) | (DOCX)
• DPH Response to plan (PDF) | (DOCX), August 19, 2024
• Facility Response to DPH Comments (PDF) | (DOCX) August 22, 2024
  • Appendix A (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Carney Closure Plan – Geriatric Behavioral Health Unit, St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center (PDF) | (DOCX), August 15, 2024
• DPH Comments on Facility Plan (PDF) | (DOCX) August 27, 2024

Nashoba Valley Medical Center

In Person Public Hearing: Thursday, August 15th, 2024, 6:00 PM, at the Devens Common Center, 31 Andrews Parkway, Devens, MA 01434.

Virtual Public Hearing: Monday, August 19th, 2024, 6:00 PM

• Nashoba notice of intent to close #1 (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Nashoba notice of intent to close #2 (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Nashoba notice of public hearing (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Nashoba notice of public hearing in Spanish (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Nashoba notice of public hearing in Haitian Creole (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Nashoba notice of public hearing in Arabic (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Nashoba notice of public hearing in European Portuguese (PDF) | (DOCX)

Nashoba closure plan and DPH response to the closure plan

• Nashoba Valley Closure Plan (PDF) | (DOCX)
  • Appendix A (PDF) | (DOCX)
  • Appendix B (PDF) | (DOCX)
  • Appendix C (PDF) | (DOCX)
  • Appendix D (PDF) | (DOCX)
• DPH Response to plan (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Facility Response to DPH Comments (PDF) | (DOCX) August 23, 2024
• DPH Comments on Facility Plan (PDF) | (DOCX) August 27, 2024

New England Sinai Hospital

Public Hearing: January 31, 2024

• 120-day notice of intent to discontinue services (PDF) | (DOCX)
• 90-day notice of intent to discontinue services (PDF) | (DOCX)
• DPH Determination on Essential Service (PDF) | (DOCX)
• DPH Comments on Facility Plan (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Facility Plan to Assure Access (PDF) | (DOCX)

Saint Anne’s Hospital – Geriatric Psychiatric Unit at New England Sinai Hospital

Public Hearing: February 01, 2024

• 120-day notice of intent to discontinue services (PDF) | (DOCX)
• 90-day notice of intent to discontinue services (PDF) | (DOCX)
• DPH Determination on Essential Service (PDF) | (DOCX)
• DPH Comments on Facility Plan (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Facility Plan to Assure Access (PDF) | (DOCX)

2023

Baystate Medical Center

Public Hearing: August 9, 2023

• 120-day notice of intent to discontinue services (PDF) | (DOCX)
• 90-day notice of intent to discontinue services (PDF) | (DOCX)
• DPH Determination on Essential Service (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Facility Plan to Assure Access (PDF) | (DOCX)
• DPH comments on Facility Plan (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Facility Response to DPH comments (PDF) | (DOCX)

Baystate Noble Hospital - Inpatient Psych Services and Partial Hospitalization Program

Public Hearing: August 24, 2023

• 120-day notice of intent to discontinue services (PDF) | (DOCX)
• 90-day notice of intent to discontinue services (PDF) | (DOCX)
• DPH Determination on Essential Service (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Facility Plan to Assure Access (PDF) | (DOCX)
• DPH comments on Facility Plan (PDF) | (DOCX)

Baystate Wing Hospital

Public Hearing: August 3, 2023

• 120-day notice of intent to discontinue services (PDF) | (DOCX)
• 90-day notice of intent to discontinue services (PDF) | (DOCX)
• DPH Determination on Essential Service (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Facility Plan to assure access (PDF) | (DOCX)
• DPH comments on Facility Plan (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Facility Response to DPH Comments (PDF) | (DOCX)

Emerson Hospital - Emerson Rehabilitation and Transitional Care Unit

Public Hearing: June 6, 2023

• 120-day notice of intent to discontinue services (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Facility Plan to Assure Access (PDF) | (DOCX)

Heywood Hospital

• 120-day notice of intent to discontinue services (PDF) | (DOCX)
• 90-day notice of intent to discontinue services (PDF) | (DOCX)
• DPH Determination on Essential Service (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Facility Plan to Assure Access (PDF) | (DOCX)
• DPH Comments on Facility Plan (PDF) | (DOCX)

Steward Health Care System LLC - Morton Hospital

Public Hearing: May 18, 2023

• Relocation of Morton Hospital's Comprehensive Addiction Program (MORCAP) (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Updated 90-day notice of intent to discontinue services (PDF) | (DOCX)
• 90-day notice of intent to discontinue services (PDF) | (DOCX)
• DPH Determination on Essential Service (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Facility Plan to Assure Access (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Facility Response to DPH Comments on Facility Plan (PDF) | (DOCX)
• DPH comments on Facility Plan (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Review of Response Following Essential Services Access Plan (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Facility Response to the Department’s Comments on Hospital’s Response to Essential Services Access Plan (PDF) | (DOCX)

UMass Memorial HealthAlliance - Clinton Hospital

Public Hearing: July 24, 2023

• 120-day notice of intent to discontinue services (PDF) | (DOCX)
• 90-day notice of intent to discontinue services (PDF) | (DOCX)
• DPH Determination on Essential Service (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Facility Plan to Assure Access (PDF) | (DOCX)
• DPH Comments on Facility Plan (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Facility Response to DPH Comments on Facility Plan (PDF) | (DOCX)

2022

Beverly Hospital

Public Hearing: July 20, 2022, 6pm
Vittori Rocci Post
143 Brimbal Avenue, Beverly

• 120-day notice of intent to discontinue services (PDF) | (DOCX)
• 90-day notice of intent to discontinue services (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Beverly Hospital Letter to EHS (PDF) | (DOCX)
• DPH Response Letter to Beverly Hospital (DOCX)
• 30-day notice of intent to discontinue services (PDF) | (DOCX)
• DPH Comments on Facility Plan (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Facility Response to DPH Comments (PDF) | (DOCX)

MetroWest Medical Center

Public Hearing: July 6, 2022

• 120-day notice of intent to discontinue services (PDF) l (DOCX)
• 90-day notice of intent to discontinue services (PDF) l (DOCX)
• DPH Determination of Essential Service (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Facility Plan to assure access (PDF) l (DOCX)
• DPH Comments on Facility Plan (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Facility Response to DPH Comments (PDF) | (DOCX)

Norwood Hospital

Public Hearing: February 15, 2022

• 120-day notice of intent to discontinue services (PDF) | (DOCX)
• 90-day notice of intent to discontinue services (PDF) | (DOCX)
• DPH Determination of Essential Services
• Facility Plan to Assure Access (PDF) | (DOCX)
• DPH Comments on Facility Plans (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Facility Response to DPH Comments (PDF) | (DOCX)

Shriners Hospital for Children – Springfield

• 120-day notice of intent to discontinue services (PDF) | (DOCX)
• 90-day notice of intent to discontinue services (PDF) | (DOCX)
• DPH Determination of Essential Service (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Facility Plan to Assure Access (PDF) | (DOCX)
• DPH Comments on Facility Plan (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Response on DPH Comments on Facility Plan (DOCX)

St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center

• 120-day notice of intent to discontinue services (PDF) | (DOCX)
• 90-day notice of intent to discontinue services (PDF) | (DOCX)
• DPH Determination on Essential Service (PDF) | (DOCX)

Tufts Medical Center

Public Hearing: April 28, 2022

• 120-day notice of intent to discontinue services (PDF) | (DOCX)
• 90-day notice of intent to discontinue services (PDF) | (DOCX)
• DPH Determination of Essential Service (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Facility Plan to Assure Access (PDF) | (DOCX)
• DPH Comments on Facility Plan (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Facility Response on DPH Comments on Facility Plan (PDF) | (DOCX)

2021

Anna Jaques Hospital

• 120-day notice of intent to discontinue services (PDF) | (DOC)
• 90-day notice of intent to discontinue services (PDF) | (DOC)
• DPH Determination on Essential Service (PDF) | (DOC)
• Facility Plan to assure access (PDF) | (DOCX)
• DPH comments on Facility Plan (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Facility response to DPH comments (PDF) | (DOCX)

Baystate Mary Lane Outpatient Center

Public Hearing: April 1, 2021

• 120-day notice of intent to discontinue services:
  • Letter to the Community (PDF) | (DOCX)
  • Letter to Employees (PDF) | (DOCX)
• DPH Determination on Essential Service (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Facility Plan to assure access (PDF) | (DOCX)
• DPH comments on Facility Plan (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Facility Response to DPH comments (PDF) | (DOCX)

Steward Good Samaritan Medical Center – Norcap Lodge

• 120-day notice of intent to discontinue services (PDF) | (DOC)
• 90-day notice of intent to discontinue services (PDF) | (DOC)
• DPH Determination on Essential Service (PDF) | (DOC)
• Facility Plan to Assure Access (PDF) | (DOC)
• DPH comments on Facility Plan (PDF) | (DOC)
• Facility Response to DPH Comments on Facility Plan (PDF) | (DOC)

2020

Cambridge Health Alliance – Somerville Hospital SEF

Public Hearing: January 30, 2020

• 120-day notice of intent to discontinue services
• 90-day notice of intent to discontinue services
• DPH Determination on Essential Service
• Facility Plan to assure access
• DPH comments on Facility Plan
• Facility Response to DPH comments

Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of New England

• 120-day notice of intent to discontinue services (PDF) | (DOCX)
• 90-day notice of intent to discontinue services (PDF) | (DOCX)

Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital

Public Hearing: October 8, 2020

• 120-day notice of intent to discontinue services
• 90-day notice of intent to discontinue services
• DPH Determination on Essential Service (PDF) | (DOCX)

Falmouth Hospital – Inpatient Pediatric Service

Public Hearing: May 28, 2020

• 120-day notice of intent to discontinue services
• 90-day notice of intent to discontinue services
• DPH Determination on Essential Service
• Facility Plan to assure access
• DPH comments on Facility Plan
• Facility Response to DPH Comments

Holyoke Medical Center – Inpatient Obstetrics Services and Well Infant Nursery

Public Hearing: July 28, 2020

• 120-day notice of intent to discontinue services
• 90-day notice of intent to discontinue services
• DPH Determination on Essential Service
• Facility Plan to assure access
• DPH Comments on Facility Plan

Lowell General Hospital – Saints Campus ICU and Operating Rooms

Public Hearing: February 26, 2020

• 120-day notice of intent to discontinue services
• 90-day notice of intent to discontinue services
• DPH Determination on Essential Service

Mercy Hospital, Inc. – Providence Behavioral Hospital

Public Hearing: April 30, 2020

• 90-day notice of intent to discontinue services
• DPH Determination on Essential Service
• Facility Plan to assure access
• DPH comments on Facility Plan
• Facility Response to DPH comments

MetroWest Medical Center – Framingham Union Hospital Inpatient Pediatric Service

• 120-day notice of intent to discontinue services
• 90-day notice of intent to discontinue services
• DPH Determination on Essential Service | (DOCX)
• Facility Plan to assure access
• DPH comments on Facility Plan | (DOCX)

MetroWest Medical Center – Leonard Morse Natick Campus

Previous filings before the hospital decided to temporarily suspend the closure process.

• 120-day notice of intent to discontinue services (halted process)
• 90-day notice of intent to discontinue services (halted process)

Hospital has restarted the closure process.

• 120-day notice of intent to discontinue services (restarted process)
• 90-day notice of intent to discontinue services (restarted process)
• DPH Determination on Essential Service | (DOCX)
• Facility Plan to assure access
• DPH comments on Facility Plan

Newton-Wellesley Hospital

• 120-day notice of intent to discontinue services (PDF) | (DOCX)
• 90-Day Notice of Intent to Discontinue Services (PDF) | (DOCX)
• DPH Determination on Essential Service (PDF) | (DOCX)

Shriners Hospitals for Children – Boston

Public Hearing: July 30, 2020

• 120-day notice of intent to discontinue services
• 90-day notice of intent to discontinue services
• DPH Determination on Essential Service (PDF) | (DOCX)

Shriners Hospitals for Children – Springfield

• 120-day notice of intent to discontinue services (PDF) | (DOCX)
• 90-day notice of intent to discontinue services (PDF) | (DOCX)
• DPH Determination on Essential Service (PDF) | (DOCX)
• Facility Plan to assure access (PDF) | (DOCX)
• DPH comments on Facility Plan | (DOCX)

Steward Satellite Emergency Facility – Quincy

Public Hearing: September 1, 2020

• 120-day notice of intent to discontinue services
• 90-day notice of intent to discontinue services
• DPH Determination on Essential Service | (DOCX)
• Facility Plan to Assure Access
• DPH comments on Facility Plan (PDF) | (DOCX)