I hate to see this happen

I thought they just said they could not operate an E.R. If they dont have the ability to admit patients onsite.That was why they couldn't keep Hartselle E.R. open with no place to admit patients onsite ! Something doesn't add up here !

I heard that Decatur West would move into Parkway and it would also become a speciality hospital.... ie: maturnity, cardiac etc.

Definitely a step in the right direction, consolidate rather than let DG die.

I hope it's a good move if it happens. Our hospitals and our mall and so many other businesses have always seemed to suffer in Decatur. I personally believe some of the people running the show in this hick town need to be replaced. We need new blood if this community is ever going to amount to anything, whether it be a hospital, a mall, etc. Decatur is a loser in most things and in my opinion it's because of some of the social wannabes.

Personally, I loved Parkway when it was a private hospital, so I hated seeing it change from that. My last few experiences with DGH were not good, so we started going to Huntsville Hospital and Crestwood several years ago for any outpatient or inpatient procedures. Maybe Huntsville Hospital can make things better at DGH. I wonder what will become of Parkway's Women's and Children's center?

Like most hospitals nationwide, Parkway and Decatur General have struggled with lower reimbursement rates, declining patient numbers and increased uncompensated care.

I have insurance and it pays every dollar the hospital bills it for, This is why when I need services I don't go to Decatur General simply because my care there will be no different than the care of a person who cannot pay. So I go where I can get more for my money. Now I'm not saying I am better than anyone else but I pay a premium and a co-pay and the insurance pays the balance so yes if I am paying I should get better services.

That may explain a portion of the above excerpt. (Declining patient numbers) I may not be alone my assessment.

Where do I go? The air port if Huntsville acquires a monopoly.

JAMES... that was HARTSELLE Hospital that didn't have the ability to admit patients onsite and closed their Emergency room. ...... NOT Parkway.

Come on people......there is no comparision to the services at DGH and Huntsville, Huntsville is far more efficent. This is a good thing. Parkway will become a Children's and women's hospital....wait and see. This is a good thing. DGH has gone down hill for years, time for a major upgrade, the experts at HH can do it.

Bob,wouldn't that cover Parlway also?

If you read the above article, it says they aren't closing Parkway's ER. so wouldn't be the same as Hartselle.

Hartselle was able to admit patients from ED but did not have enough patients to keep the hospital open and profitable......

My understanding is that one cannot have an ER without having in-patient care on premises. If DG and Parkway were to merge, perhaps there is a mechanism to get around the in-patient facility rule at Parkway. I'm with James W from Danville, though, because it was made quite clear that Hartselle Medical Center could not continue to operate an ER since it no longer had in-patient admission capabilities. The Daily should have clarified that in this article.