The Cook County Health and Hospitals System plans to consolidate pediatric and adult emergency services at its flagship John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital.
Dr. John Jay Shannon, CEO of the system, revealed a glimpse into his plans during a Cook County Board meeting today for how Stroger might transform. His remarks followed those of several doctors, nurses and union representatives who support saving, not curtailing, inpatient pediatric services at Stroger.
“We believe that doing so would cause a public health catastrophe for the most vulnerable children in the community,” said Betty Boles, vice president of SEIU Local 73.
The union represents about 2,500 employees who work in the health system, the bulk of them at Stroger. They include lab and operating room technicians, respiratory therapists and food-service workers, among others.