Patient and Citizen Comments

Recently, as patients and concerned citizens signed a petition in a concerted bid to save their community hospital, the pages quickly filled with deeply moving and emotional pleas. Each signature was accompanied by heart-wrenching comments that revealed not just a desire, but a profound need to preserve the lifeline of their community. Stories of loved ones saved within those walls, fears of what might happen without it, and frustrations over the hospital’s management poured out onto the paper, creating a powerful tapestry of raw emotion and urgent concern. The very essence of their angst was laid bare in those words, as they fought not just for keeping "community" in the institution they called their own.

Below is a selection of those comments in their own and unedited words.

  • "This hospital is vital to the people of Washington County"
  • "I am a retired hospital worker and also a resident of Narragansett. Poor administration should not be the cause of the demise of this hospital. It’s the workers who carry the weight of the mismanagement while trying to care for their patients. This needs immediate action so that South County can remain as thriving as it was under Lou Giancola."
  • "Because the hospital became a gem during Ford and Misto . It took hard work by a dedicated family of employees who had pride in it, its difficult to watch its demise"
  • "I am 71 years old. Had all my kids at SCH. I always had such great care there whenever I had to be there. I have sadly watched it deteriorate and quite quickly in the last few years.  Please stop the bleeding now before there is no turning back.  The CEO needs to go now."
  • "I love SCH"
  • "This hospital is essential to the community and state!"
  • "Regardless of the issues faced by healthcare and SCH, there is never an excuse for the behaviors and attitudes exhibited by the Executive in addressing said issues. Those behaviors only exacerbate the climate to the point it’s now reached."
  • "It is important to have these vital medical services in Washington County."
  • "How sad I was born here both my children were born here, this is my history to see this go is devastating, it just breaks my heart I know Rhode Island Magazine had a article about the Drs ONeils being the best OBGYN what ever happened to that institution that pride 😢😢😢"
  • "I had RSV in January of 2024!  I don’t know if I would have survived without the BEST care from the doctors and nurses at SCH."
  • "Hospital is only local facility. Used to be so awesome"
  • "Community based healthcare is vitally important to the health, wellness, and future of our community.  We MUST listen to the clinicians and providers of care."
  • "The people of South County need this Hospital perhaps those that are in charge like the director should be replaced so that this hospital can remain a main stay in South County"
  • "Our part of RI has been growing rapidly yet our options for medical care has decreased with many doctors leaving the area due to poor reimbursement for services that get more, just in Providence.   SCH has provided important services when it offered a variety of pertinent, and necessary medical needs not otherwise available in South County.   As a resident in SC I've lost critical treatment since doctors have left; this has unfortunately been happening the last couple of years.  As we age we  don't like to, or can't, travel long distances when we're sick, or need immediate care. PLEASE bring SCH back to it's former renounded medical care facility."
  • "Please , whoever you are that is responsible for all the problems at this wonderful hospital stop loosing all the amazing people that work there. Keep the health and wellbeing of the community come first. This is a wonderful hospital and our community needs it."
  • "This is the primary hospital my mother goes to for vital iron transfusions. This is the primary hospital for 99% of the people I have ever known and loved. This hospital is so important for so many lives and families."
  • "I care about sch. It has always been a premiere and trusted hospital. I want to preserve that."
  • "I want my faith in SCH to be restored."
  • "My family been here since 1893 or so, my brother and I still here. I want SCH to be the best it can be. I've heard sad things from staff in recent years. I'd like to see everything amiss corrected permanently."
  • "Our community relies on SCH for quality medical care with trusted providers and accessible healthcare facilities. We need to maintain and strengthen healthcare infrastructure, especially in South County."
  • "This issue is finances, not personalities.  We need to spur efforts to increase the Medicare/Medicaid reimbursements to doctors and procedures, so that they can remain in RI.  We are behind the times!  It really becomes a Legislative issue.  Push your State reps to act immediately.  They have kicked it down the road long enough!"
  • "Top management needs to be changed immediately!  Our community needs a top tier hospital.   Unfortunately, the management has made terrible decisions leading to a toxic work environment causing many great healthcare providers to leave.  Our community deserves a well run hospital with health care professionals who can give the best care possible for their patients, not a  top down approach which robs the workers and patients of the best care possible."
  • "I don’t want to lose the health care facility that my family and I have relied upon for quality care since we moved here in 2003."
  • "I have served as a physician at SCH for 25 years and as a corporate and as a medical staff representative on the Board of Trustees many years ago. Myself and my family have relied on SACH for years and want it to remain as a vital independent hospital."
  • "some of my doctors are leaving in Oct. I need to be assured my needs will be met."
  • "This hospital is integral part of our community and needs to restored to the status is was before the new CEO  took over"
  • "SCH is an integral part of the Southern RI Community.  Please save our local hospital!!"
  • "Corporate Executives chasing the ‘Bottom Line’ should not prioritize profits over patient care. Shame on the board for allowing this nonsense, and putting the health and welfare of our most vulnerable amongst us second to corporate bonuses. Restore the oncology department, and trim the fat from your board and hospital leadership instead."
  • "Our community needs to be accessible to the best health care and specialists at SCH"
  • "I was not only a patient of my beloved South County Hospital, but a long term employee (laboratory) and a volunteer.  We need to get this awful situation corrected!"
  • "I volunteered at SCH ED for many years before going back to school to obtain my BS/MS in nursing. Prompted by many positive interactions by the amazing SCH ED nurses.   My father and mother (who have both passed at this point) were admitted to SCH inpatient numerous times and had excellent care by all the coworkers.    SCH was the chosen provider even thought other facilities were closer to my parents’ house because of the poor care they received at the other facilities and the amazing care they received at SCH."
  • "My family has gotten excellent care at this hospital and I recognize how vital ongoing quality health care is to our community."
  • "We need SC Hosp available to the citizens.  Seems to me that troubles start at the top, and everyone below takes the brunt. I have been a patient and I must say the Drs and nurses have been wonderful . There will always be those who believe that bigger is better.  Wake up.   Help keep our hospital functional and treat the staff respectfully. RI is  doing a poor job of paying what they are worth . It starts and ends in the office down the hall with the brass handles."
  • "South County Hospital has been my hospital of choice for over 50 years. The present mass exodus of doctors, nurses and staff is due to top management poor decisions, abusive, derogatory and corrosive attitudes directed at our doctors and their staff.  Our local hospital is literally our lifeline.  We NEED positive change starting from the TOP down. I am sincerely urging the Board of Trustees to take immediate action to remedy this situation, remove the current CEO and whomever else need be in order to keep the doors open with competent staff and positive values and attitudes."
  • "please sign this even if you are out of the area for those of us who need this type of care in R.I.  It is the best hospital in the area.  The doc's and staff saved my life in addition to post care treatment second to none as far as I am concerned."
  • "Our community deserves better as do the doctors and nurses employed by SCH."
  • "Save our hospitals from Closing due to poor leadership, poor management, greed and poor communication."
  • "We cannot tolerate this decimation any longer."
  • "This hospital is important to me and the people of my hometown"
  • "My cancer was diagnosed and treated first at South County Hospital before I was advised to go for a second opinion at Dana Farber, where I received a stem cell transplant that saved my life. Would this happen under today's circumstances? I doubt it. Restore and save SCH!!!"
  • "I was born at this hospital, I grew up in that town. Even now as a warwick resident I go to south county. Its a reliable and trusted hospital and I prefer it to others because of the good services they provide. SAVE SOUTH COUNTY HOSPITAL"
  • "Block Islanders need SCH too."
  • "i was born at south county hospital and would go there every time something was wrong. even though i haven’t lived in rhode island for over 10 years. i still truly care about this please. please save sch!"
  • "We need the healthcare services of South County Hospital in order to maintain our lives in good health.  What is going on recently should be addressed  and remedied quickly before serious health issues arise."
  • "I love SCH and have been a patient recently. We need this in our community."
  • "This town needs a hospital but it needs to be run correctly and for the people!"
  • "South county hospital is one of the best hospitals in the south end of south county, should it close the closet hospital would be westerly hospital, being i was born in south county hospital in February of 1976 there is no reason for it to shut down"
  • "We need this hospital in southern Rhode Island."
  • "I am a patient of the cancer center and am very concerned."
  • "Needs attention."
  • "Perfect example of what greed and business plans are doing to our healthcare system in the US. This has been a problem with South County Health and Hospital for over 10 years and now it’s peaking. Evident with an awful personal experience in the ER within the past year which resulted in a formal apology from the higher ups, in addition to losing my PCP, I now seek healthcare out of state. We are at risk of losing a whole hospital now. Fred Frost would be appalled."
  • "I am signing today because after 50 years of depending on SCH to provide regular and emergency attention for my family . You cannot imagine what thoughts run through our minds when we think that SCH will cease to be our refuge when health crises occur.  I will, however, note that in the past year my family and myself have noted a definite lack of care in the ER.  I will not go into specifics but there was a difference in the level of care, an issue very important to those of us who have always been cared for in a wonderful manner. "
  • "I have heard very upsetting news about the direction of the hospital.   I hope we can save our hospital."
  • "In many cases like this it's patients over profits and until this ends this will continue to happen.  Management needs to stop thinking 100% monetary and get back to true patient care."
  • "In many cases like this it's patients over profits and until this ends this will continue to happen.  Management needs to stop thinking 100% monetary and get back to true patient care."
  • I have spent a large part of my adult life at South County Hospital after a career on Wall Street.  I know these Doctors and admittedly do not know the Board.. nevertheless, I know marketing, spin and disingenuousness when I see it. Something is very wrong at SC Hospital. I was totally unimpressed with the board's efforts to explain what is actually going on . They seem like they got their hands caught in the cookie jar. Their tactic of verbally abusing the doctors and talking down to virtually everyone is a tell-tale sign of covering something up..   Can the Hospital members vote out the board especially the CEO ? who appears to be a giant mistake.
  • When a hospital can’t keep Dr. Jeffrey Joseph, there has to be something wrong. He was there for a mighty long time, I wonder why he left South County.
  • My friend Kim worked in the ER for many years, and I never felt more comfortable in my life. I knew I was in good hands and she cared about everyone entering. Now I am so worried that if I ever have to go there again, my next stop will be Avery-Storti. The home town love and care is gone. I hope they fix this soon.
  • Well said! Perhaps it’s time for a change! The cover up needs to be uncovered!
  • It's very scary , how Drs are leaving. I heard they aren't getting enough wages, so going to CT. Or MA. What is going on?
  • We need this hospital!!
  • I agree took my 97 yo Mom to ER and was shocked at change from couple years ago, something is very wrong! They did nothing… gave her couple glasses of ice water took X-ray and sent her home after 6 hours, not even blood work!!!!
  • They need to clean house. Lost wonderful medical personal over past few years.
  • I was thinking the same thing. Something smells very off!! It almost seems as if the board wants the hospital to fail. I’m curious if there is any way to involve the state ethics committee or the AG??
  • I’m a cancer patient there ( lung ) and now looking for a new Oncologist…..
  • I’ve seen such a deterioration in this hospital and I use to love it but the staff keep leaving and the integrity isn’t there and the care has totally tanked.
  • Very well said.
  • Absolutely agree and well said.
  • 8 years ago my Mother In-law had a massive stroke that was terminal. She ended up being on hospice there & was in the hospital for 10 days. I remember how impressed I was with her care & how our entire family was treated. They moved us to a larger room, because she had a big family that were all coming to say their good byes. Every day they would bring up food for us & see if we needed anything. The Doctors & Nurses were all so great. Having been through this with my own parents & it was a whole different experience. I remember thinking to myself, I was happy that my husband & I would have such a wonderful hospital to go to when needed.
  • This is all so sad & I hope it can get fixed! I signed the petition. Save our Hospital’
  • That is the shameful thing we need to try to avoid. We love and NEED south county hospital.
  • What about his 60 percent increase in pay over 700 thousand dollars 💸 💵 💲
  •  I know use Westerly Hospital and I live less then 5 minutes from SCH!
  • WE NEED OUR STORIES TOLD!!! Some of you may have heard me at the press conference or saw me in the paper advocating for change. PLEASE private message me…share your story, whether you are a worker at the hospital (obviously NO names will be used unless you approve) or if you are have a story to share about an experience you have had at the hospital recently. It truly will help! Thank you
  • This is the organization that does accreditation for hospitals.
  • Things would change if they were notified I bet.
  • I would bet that the CEO has stacked the Board of Trustees and they will do nothing.
  • Well said. It was just a rehash of the press conference
  • There was a time when the medical staff voted out a CEO but they let hospitalists in and the hospital bought up the practices. They don't have much power now as you can see. The chairman of the board concerns a lot of them as well as the CEO...( I worked there 52 years)
  • These are all really good and dedicated docs that helped make it a great little hospital. There are no residents so they do all the work themselves running in in the middle of night for years. A lot of us folks that started back in the 70s 80s are really upset because we all worked so hard to support these Docs and take care of their patients, not the hospital's patients. We were a great team and there dosen't seem to be anyone at the helm that cares about that. Who are we as a hospital without good physicians?
  • I’ve had poor care there several times also. Won’t go there again.
  • Agree, has really gone down hill. Staff is not treated well.
  • South County health is the absolute worst. I’ve had a number of bad experiences. Incompetent and apathetic. The could screw up a cup of water
  • The cardiology department also fell apart! My cardiologist is now with lifespan!!! SCH has always been our hospital of choice, so sad!!@
  • I had to go to the ER on 7/15. It was a horrendous experience. But when the survey came. I filled it out honestly and mailed it in
  • Well said!!
  • Very well said agreed
  • Can you make your comments shareable please! Appreciate your honesty on this topic as a former employee at SCH for 20 years and other retired colleagues would love to see your thoughts.
  • I care for my 90 year old neighbor, she’s my friend and I’d do anything for her. She went to the ER by ambulance one evening around 5. I got a call at 2am to tell me to come pick her up. I explained she’d be going home to an empty house, and it was the middle of the night etc… not to mention how hard it would be to get her back into her house at 2am with no help. They told me I either come and get her or she’d be stuck sitting in the hall all night. I got there expecting a busy ER and it was instead a complete ghost town.
  • And my husband and I were turned away from hospital’s press conference.
  • All the good staff are leaving because of CEO he is not for the hospital at all. This is a long time in the making.
  • All of these personal stories shared, touch my soul. My love & prayers are with you. You lease know that you are thought of every night, and that someone is praying over you🦋
  • So many Doctors have left, you wouldn't believe it. Go to Kent County, Miriam, Westerly is getting better but South County needs a complete overhaul!
  • Yes .. my dad received great car there after a myoinfarction cardiac arrest, a nurse thumped him back to life +we were graced with 4 more months with him/hospice angels, before he passed at 92 .. that was 2o years ago😢.. when big corp rules, travesty occurs😡.. I would never go to the emergency there.... Doctors are victims , as well as patients.. few are aware the RI is theLOWESt paying state w Medicare, we train them at Brown (my MA), + THEY leave for higher paying jobs my, NJ, ma, etc, Western med us failing🙏❤️
  • Imagine what's happening in providence ri. They need to clean the whole state
  • This was the only hospital my parents used even though they were closer to Kent. Great care for my dad in 2010. Now for my 96 year old mom in 2024, basically ignored for 7 hours in the ER after a fall - laid on gurney in a hallway near a door to the outside that that blew freezing air on her. I had to beg for a blanket and help when she needed to go to the bathroom. Admitted overnight at midnight after lying there 14 hours. Next day sent to rehab where we were not informed that there was an active covid outbreak and the social worker knew! Had we known, we’d have picked a different facility. She did catch covid there too! Worst experience ever, what a change.

 

 

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