Residents of Chester, Pennsylvania, continue to feel the repercussions of significant health care closures that took place last May. The shutdown of both the Crozer-Chester Medical Center and Taylor Hospital, following the bankruptcy of their owner, has left the local community grappling with limited access to essential medical services.
On Saturday, a local advocacy group known as One Pennsylvania convened to discuss the ongoing impact of these closures. Community members expressed their deep concern over the lack of emergency medical services in the area. Due to the hospital shutdowns, residents are often forced to travel considerable distances—sometimes over 20 minutes—to receive urgent care in neighboring regions such as Delaware or Philadelphia.
Dawn Pierce, a Chester resident, voiced her alarm during the meeting, stating, “I am feeling for my counterparts, my neighbors, when they are having strokes and heart attacks and they can’t find any care for more than 20 minutes away.” She further emphasized that the current clinic hours, which end at 17:00, are inadequate, as many medical emergencies occur after dark.
The city of Chester has contracted an ambulance service to address some of these challenges. However, this contract is set to expire in April. Mayor Stefan Roots has assured residents that the city possesses the necessary funds to extend this service if needed. The mayor is also monitoring developments regarding the recent acquisition of the Crozer hospital site and has initiated discussions with the new owner to explore potential solutions for the community’s health care needs.
As Chester grapples with these ongoing challenges, the need for enhanced medical services remains a pressing priority for its residents. Community leaders and officials continue to explore avenues to improve access to health care, aiming to ensure that no one has to travel excessively far for critical medical attention.
