The Mount Sinai South Nassau-operated Long Beach Emergency Department that was forced to close Monday afternoon due to nursing staff shortages occurring as a result of the state vaccine mandate, will reopen again Friday, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced.
Following Mount Sinai’s announced plans for temporary closure earlier this week, the New York State Department of Health quickly responded and worked closely with hospital officials and local community leaders to reopen the Emergency Department to 24/7 services at 7 a.m. on Friday, November 26.
“As your Governor, I will ensure the state does everything we can to alleviate the stress on hospitals and emergency care facilities – so health care facilities, please continue to alert us when you are struggling,” Governor Hochul said. “I want to thank Mount Sinai South Nassau and local community partners for working with us to restore ER services and continue providing high quality care to the residents of Nassau County. The Department of Health will keep working closely with hospital and local officials to monitor and troubleshoot any future potential staff shortage issues.”
This ER location had closed temporarily earlier this week due to staffing shortages and had stationed an ambulance at the site to assist residents arriving at the facility, but DOH was able to quickly help them alleviate this shortage and set up a plan to reopen.
New York State Department of Health Acting Executive Deputy Commissioner Kristin Proud said, “Ensuring convenient access to critical emergency care is a top priority of Governor Hochul. I thank the Mount Sinai leadership and staff and local leaders for coming together and working closely with the Department of Health to quickly restore emergency department access to the residents of the Long Beach Barrier Island. The Department will continue to monitor the South Nassau Long Beach facility to ensure ongoing access to emergency care for the residents of Long Beach.
Senator Todd Kaminsky said, “Working together with Governor Hochul, Mount Sinai South Nassau and 1199 SEIU, I am thrilled to announce that emergency medical services will return to the Long Beach Barrier Island tomorrow morning. The important truth that our barrier island cannot not afford to have this vital community asset shuttered meant that all parties had to come together to solve this issue and put residents first. As a Long Beach resident and parent, having a full-time emergency room in our community is essential and I want to personally thank Governor Hochul, Mount Sinai and Assemblywoman Missy Miller for working with me to get this done.”
Assemblymember Missy Miller said, “I am very glad that the Long Beach Emergency Department will reopen to its full operations tomorrow morning. The closure had the potential to put patients at risk and I am grateful that Mount Sinai, the NYS DOH and Governor Hochul heard our pleas and worked to find a solution to reopen this very much needed facility.”
Dr. Ahhi Sharma, President of Mount Sinai South Nassau said, “Mount Sinai South Nassau will reopen the Long Beach Emergency Department on Friday. This is the result of an extraordinary effort from Governor Hochul, New York State Department of Health, our elected officials and our incredible team of front line providers and staff. We are great full for the support we received from so many individuals to make this happen and re-open for our community.”
Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin said, “Thank you to Governor Hochul for listening to our concerns and working with Mount Sinai and the community to reopen the Long Beach Emergency Department that serves the entire barrier island, which also includes the Town of Hempstead communities of Point Lookout, Lido Beach, East Atlantic Beach and the Village of Atlantic Beach. Along with Town Councilmembers Anthony D’Esposito and Chris Carini, we recognize that the reopening of the Long Beach Emergency Department is critical toward providing life-saving services to barrier island residents, and that all stakeholders – including the state, local governments, hospital and community leaders – must work together to ensure that this crucial medical facility remains open in the future without interruption.”
Long Beach City Council President John Bendo said, “We thank Governor Hochul and all our other elected officials for recognizing the urgency of the moment and the absolute need to have adequate emergency medical services on the barrier island. Our productive and collaborative efforts, along with the strong advocacy of our citizenry resulted in the full restoration of these services. Today, we have much to be thankful for.”
Nassau Legislator Denise Ford said, “I want to extend on behalf of my communities a heartfelt thank you to Governor Hochul. Our governor clearly understands the importance of the South Nassau Emergency Department on our barrier island as she took decisive action in getting it reopened. This is a true example of when we work together, we can accomplish positive outcomes. Thank you Governor!”
