St. Petersburg, Florida -- After almost 40 years of operation, the doors to the Edward White Hospital, located off of 9th Avenue North near Interstate 275, will close, on Nov. 24.
The 162-bed facility will distribute operations to nearby Northside, Palms of Pasadena and St. Petersburg General hospitals.
The reason— according to the hospital: is the more than "1,000…unoccupied licensed beds…in Pinellas County."
A man recovering from back surgery at a rehab facility nearby compared his last experience at the Edward White, to being in a ghost town.
"There was nobody in there," he said.
Another reason for the closure, is the facility's need to upgrade.
"We had a bad experience there …it was just old," said a woman who didn't want to be identified.
Anissa Raiford, with the Pinellas County Medical Association, says the consolidation will ultimately be a good thing for patents and staff.
"The building is just past its prime. Why put money into a building when you can use the money to go toward other hospitals?" she said.
Eighty-five percent of Ed White's employees will be transferred to help other HCA facilities in the area.
"It makes them more powerful, the outcome will be better for patients, seamless for employees and doctors." says Raiford.
She recommends that current patients of Edward White call their doctor's office and ask where that physician is moving to. Patients also can contact the Pinellas County Medical Association with questions at 727-541-1151.
