By Brad Palmer
Pinckneyville, IL – THE ILLINOIS HEALTH FACILITIES PLANNING BOARD HAS ACCEPTED PINCKNEYVILLE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL'S APPLICATION TO CLOSE ITS SKILLED CARE UNIT.
HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATOR TOM HUDGENS SAYS THE STATE BOARD VOTED YESTERDAY IN SPRINGFIELD. HE SAYS THE HOSPITAL'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS WILL TAKE FINAL ACTION MONDAY NIGHT.
HUDGENS SAYS THIS HAS BEEN A LONG, ANGUISHING PROCESS FOR THOSE ASSOCIATED WITH PINCKNEYVILLE HOSPITAL.
THE HOSPITAL BOARD VOTED LAST SUMMER TO MOVE AHEAD WITH PLANS TO BUILD A NEW HOSPITAL WITHOUT A SKILLED CARE UNIT BECAUSE OF THE HIGH COST OF BUILDING BOTH AT THE SAME TIME.
HUDGENS SAYS THE PLAN IS FOR THE LONG TERM CARE FACILITY TO CLOSE BY NOON ON SEPTEMBER 12TH.