ATLANTA — Starting Monday, Oct. 3 Wellstar Atlanta Medical Center will start asking emergency agencies to seek help from other hospitals before coming to AMC. In just a few weeks, AMC will shut its doors for good.
Channel 2′s Larry Spruill spoke with an employee at the medical center who told him this is a huge mistake.
“Somebody dropped the ball on this one. Somebody got to pick up the pieces,” Rodney Jenkins said.
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Jenkins works as a floor tech at Wellstar Atlanta Medical Center. He said closing down the location is a huge loss -- not just for the employees, but the community around the hospital.
“I don’t know what they’re going to do,” he said. “All you can do is stay blessed and pray up.”
Jenkins said more than prayers are needed for many who use Wellstar Atlanta Medical Center, especially starting Monday. That’s when AMC will start asking emergency agencies, such as ambulances, to seek help from other hospitals before coming to AMC.
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Fulton County Board of Commissioner Chairman Rob Pitts said the closing of Atlanta Medical Center will have a trickle-down effect .
“That would have huge implications not only for Grady, but Piedmont and Northside and Emory, who would have to take up the slack, if you will,” Pitts said.
Wellstar Health System released a statement, reading:
“After an exhaustive search for a solution that would support the healthcare needs of the community. We are disappointed that a sustainable solution at AMC has not emerged. We realize the news impact the lives of our team members and the patients we serve in very personal and significant ways.
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