Outpatient and long-term care would be centered in Dover, while Denville would become the inpatient center. The Sussex County hospital would remain a full-service facility, and the Boonton Township hospital would focus on mental health services. Last month, the coalition released an alternative plan that called for closing the Sussex County and Boonton Township hospitals, and maintaining Dover and Denville as full-service hospitals. Coalition members and the St. Clare's board of trustees are scheduled to meet Friday to discuss the competing plans. The coalition will hold a public meeting at 5 p.m. Monday, Dec 20 at Dover Town Hall.
Patients have a right to medical care rendered within a reasonable distance from their residence.
The medical society, Taylor said, was instrumental in arranging an October meeting between state Health Commissioner Christine Grant and several coalition doctors. Taylor said the group wants Grant to investigate the changes that were announced by St. Clare's in 1994 after its merger with then-Dover General Hospital but never implemented. Hispanic Affairs Executive Director John Sanchez said yesterday that his group represents the people who will be most affected by cutbacks in Dover. Many of the clients used to get care at a clinic at the Hispanic Affairs office run by the Dover hospital. Sanchez said many of his clients do not have transportation and would not be able to make a trip to Denville for care.