Monday the Muskegon County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to close Brookhaven Medical Care Facility.
Early Tuesday morning, Nov. 28, residents and staff were informed of the decision.
The County along with the Muskegon County Department of Health and Human Services Board of Directors will work with Brookhaven leadership to close the facility within the next 75 days.
According to a press release from Muskegon County Administrator Mark Eisenbarth "The decision comes in the wake of the continuing changes in healthcare with the push for community-based care and services for those individuals who would have typically accessed care in a nursing home setting."
This decision is also the result of overall growing financial hardship of the facility.
“This has not been an easy decision for any of the parties involved. The Commissioners, Department of Health and Human Services Board and facility leadership have reviewed the healthcare marketplace and explored a variety of options leading to the decision to close the facility. This decision will begin a lengthy and orderly closure of Brookhaven with the assistance of the State of Michigan, focusing on resident placement and staff support. We have served the greater Muskegon County community for 46 years and it has been an honor and privilege,” said Eisenbarth.
“We understand that this situation may be unsettling for everyone involved. We want you to know that we are committed to personally working with each of our residents, their families and our staff through every phase of this transition,” said Donna Ginn, Administrator of Brookhaven Medical Care Facility.
Brookhaven staff members and other personnel will meet with residents and their families to discuss alternative placement options and will work closely with each of the staff members affected to assist in new employment opportunities.
Muskegon County became the owner/operator of Brookhaven Medical Care Facility in the early 1970's. The staff working at the facility comprises of approximately 100 professional and non-professional staff.
Brookhaven is operated through a joint effort between Muskegon County, its Board of County Commissioners, and the Muskegon County Department of Health and Human Services Board of Directors.
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