Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) has informed Hospital Council
that it does not anticipate holding public safety power shutoff
(PSPS) events in the winter months. PG&E will continue to
monitor weather conditions, anticipating that PSPS events may
once again be necessary closer to the spring/summer months. In
the interim, Hospital Council will continue to work with PG&E
to resolve issues hospitals raised in the recent spate of PSPS
events, to mitigate unexpected consequences from any future
events.
The national debate surrounding federal immigration policies
provides an important opportunity for California hospitals to
reinforce the bond they have with local communities. All
Californians should know that, regardless of their immigration
status, they should feel safe seeking care. To help hospitals
spread that message in their communities, the California Hospital
Association has developed a toolkit of materials, including
sample:
The stigma around mental health issues and addiction is
incredibly powerful. Five California hospital behavioral health
program leaders share how they overcame their own personal
challenges — and
tell their stories to end the stigma.
Tom Insel, MD, behavioral health advisor to Gov. Newsom, recently
sat down with CHA’s President & CEO Carmela Coyle to discuss
behavioral health care challenges across California. The two
health care leaders discussed fundamental areas that impede
access to care for millions.
Delano Regional Medical Center is now being operated by Adventist
Health, blending the hospital’s personal hometown care with the
expertise and resources of a large healthcare system.
“We are honored to care for the Delano area,” said David Butler,
Delano hospital president for Adventist Health, a nonprofit
faith-based healthcare system. “The community has been very
supportive and welcoming, and we look forward to our future
together as we expand our mission of living God’s love by
inspiring health, wholeness and hope.” (Bakersfield.com)
A new mobile clinic will soon roll out providing free healthcare
on wheels for medically underserved communities in Monterey
county.
The 30-foot traveling healthcare clinic owned and operated by
Salinas Valley Memorial hospital has two exam rooms, a waiting
area, and a working lab. It’ll serve some of the most needy in
the community who often have barriers to vital healthcare.
(KSBW.com)
A $25 million project is now underway to retrofit Alameda
Hospital, upgrades that are required by the state to remain
licensed as a hospital with emergency room services.
The seismic work will take place in the hospital’s west building
and is projected to be finished by October 2021, Jeanne Herrera,
a spokeswoman for Alameda Health System, said on
Friday. (Mercurynews.com)
When Adventist Health St. Helena announced last month it
will close its birthing center on Jan. 11 because of low patient
volume, the news marked the latest among North Bay community
hospitals reevaluating the sustainability of their obstetrics
departments.
In Sonoma County, after seeing a 35% drop in births since 2015,
Sonoma Valley Hospital on Oct. 31, 2018, shuttered its obstetrics
department, one of several cost-cutting moves the hospital made
that year. (Northbaybusinessjournal.com)
Tulare Regional Medical Center (TRMC) put a lot of effort into
healing itself during 2019, and the results are encouraging, says
Tulare Adventist President Randy Dodd.
After reopening in October of 2018, 2019 marked the first full
calendar year of operation for the resuscitated medical facility,
a year that saw much of the new leadership’s efforts directed to
undoing the damage to the Tulare Local Health Care District and
the hospital’s reputation. (Ourvalleyvoice.com)
The Hospital Council – Northern and Central California is the
unified voice of our members, acting as a catalyst to empower
hospitals to act together on issues affecting patient care and
the health status of communities. We are dedicated to advocating
for our member hospitals at the
local and regional level and in support of California
Hospital Association (CHA) at the State and Federal level.
We strive to be an invaluable partner, convening groups across
multiple sectors to address health and quality of life challenges
within our communities.
