Orlando Health Announces Closure of Neglected Florida Hospital: What It Means for Local Care

Orlando Health is set to close Rockledge Hospital along with four outpatient centers in Brevard, Florida, on April 22. This decision comes just a few months after the hospital was acquired from Steward Health Care, who faced bankruptcy.

The reason behind this closure? Orlando Health claims the hospital has suffered from “years of neglect.” They found major failures in essential systems like electrical, plumbing, and HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) since taking over. These issues have made it unsafe to keep the hospital operational.

Instead of renovating the aging facility, Orlando Health is opting to demolish it and build a new hospital. They believe that starting fresh will be more cost-effective than attempting to repair the old structure. Before the official closure, some services at Rockledge may wind down.

Orlando Health has assured that all staff members in good standing will have job opportunities within the system, though some may need to consider relocating or commuting. The health system is currently looking to fill over 3,000 positions.

Once Rockledge Hospital closes, Orlando Health plans to sell the land. They are still figuring out what to do with the outpatient centers, which have faced their own sets of challenges.

Concerns about conditions at Rockledge have been raised for years. Reports highlighted issues like broken equipment and even a bat infestation in 2022. Susan Goodman, a patient care ombudsman, noted serious problems during her visit to the hospital, including visible HVAC and plumbing issues. Her assessment to the court overseeing Steward’s bankruptcy indicated a troubling history of neglect at Rockledge.

Goodman pointed out that some labs had to rely on spot coolers because of HVAC failures, and plumbing issues had made restrooms unusable, disrupting kitchen operations. Multiple elevators were frequently out of service, leading to a culture of pessimism among staff towards Steward’s management.

Rockledge is the fourth hospital previously owned by Steward to close following their bankruptcy declaration in May. Earlier this year, Steward also shut down three other hospitals: Carney and Nashoba Valley Medical Centers in Massachusetts and Norwood, which had been inactive for years due to flooding. The closure of Sharon Regional Medical Center in Pennsylvania is pending until health and safety issues can be resolved.