LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Verity Health System (“Verity Health”), a nonprofit healthcare system, filed a motion today seeking court authority to proceed with the closure of St. Vincent Medical Center, located at 2131 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA. The closure follows KPC Group’s default under a binding purchase agreement to acquire St. Vincent, St. Francis Medical Center, Seton Medical Center and Seton Coastside. Verity Health filed a lawsuit against the KPC Group and its affiliates on January 3, 2020. Arrangements have been made to transfer patients and specialty services, including St. Vincent’s transplant program, to nearby facilities. Once court authority to proceed has been granted, ambulance services will be diverted to nearby Emergency Departments, including to those at the eight hospitals located within a 3-mile radius of St. Vincent.
Verity Health has worked diligently through the Chapter 11 bankruptcy process to identify a sustainable path forward for each of its California facilities. The closure of St. Vincent Medical Center comes only after Verity explored every option to keep the facility open.
“We are deeply saddened to announce the planned closure of St. Vincent Medical Center. This decision has not been taken lightly and comes only after exhausting every option to keep this hospital open,” said Rich Adcock, CEO of Verity Health. “St. Vincent and its caregivers have had the distinct privilege of providing care to patients in this community. We appreciate both the opportunity to serve and the caregivers who have made a difference in ensuring that patients received the highest quality care. While we regret the closure of St. Vincent, we know that this community will continue to be well-served by nearby hospitals.”
The closure of St. Vincent Medical Center does not impact Verity’s other remaining facilities, including St. Francis Medical Center in Los Angeles County, and Seton Medical Center and Seton Coastside in San Mateo County. Verity retains the support of stakeholders, including the consent of secured lenders for the use of more than $80 million to maintain operations at these hospitals which remain open and will continue to provide high-quality care to patients in their communities as Verity pursues alternative paths.
Details of the Closure
Existing patients who have not already been transferred or discharged will continue to receive care at St. Vincent until they are able to be discharged or safely transferred to nearby hospitals. St. Vincent’s well-regarded transplant programs are in the process of being relocated to other local facilities, ensuring patients will continue to receive high-quality care from their existing physicians.
Employees, partners and vendors have been notified of the closure, and a series of on-site job fairs are planned to facilitate potential employment opportunities for impacted employees. In addition, a department closure schedule will be provided to affected employees.
Verity is committed to an orderly and transparent process. For more information, please visit: http://www.kccllc.net/verityhealth.