Nurses Raise Concern – RNs Blast Actions by Hospital, Demand County Act Now and Stop Gambling with Patient's Lives

Doctor’s Medical Center executives are moving forward with plans to sell two medical office buildings, explore options for the sale of the hospital, and expect the medical offices, at least, will likely be bought by a local casino, which has already leased a hospital parking lot – according to an inside email memo from the hospital CEO disclosed today by the California Nurses Association/National Nurses United.

“With a parking lot in hand, will the hospital itself be the next chip to fall to the casino?” asks DMC RN Carol De Young. “It’s time for DMC executives to stop gambling with patient’s lives and for the county to intervene immediately to save Doctor’s Medical Center as a full service acute care hospital for West Contra Costa County residents.”

Nurses, joined by community residents will next make that demand in a protest Friday, September 19 at 10 a.m. at the intersection of San Pablo Avenue and San Pablo Dam Road in San Pablo, Ca.

The new information surfaced in an email from DMC CEO Dawn Gideon last week to members of the West Contra Costa Health District Board of Directors.

In the email, Gideon reminded the Board that “we received $4.6 million from the (San Pablo) Lytton Tribe Casino in June as a lease payment for the parking in the back of the hospital and that “I have contracted with a broker for the potential sale of our 2 medical office buildings on Vale Road.”

Additionally, Gideon notes, “I have also signed an agreement for him to explore options for the sale of the hospital property as well.” Gideon’s caveat that “we need to explore all avenues,” is largely a fig leaf, CNA charged today, by the next points of the email.

“It is widely believed that the Casino would likely pay the highest price for the property, … In the interim, we are working with the Casino on the completion of asbestos and hazardous waste surveys that may impact the sales price,” Gideon told the Board.

CNA is also calling for the resignation of Health District Board Chair Eric Zell for what they say is a blatant conflict of interest as a lobbyist representing, among others, a separate tribal group and Chevron.

"We are sick and tired of the elected officials in this area cutting sweetheart deals, enriching themselves and their pet projects, and putting forth schemes that put the areas residents at great risk," said Susan Hybloom, a Richmond resident.

"We need a full service hospital – not a casino where our hospital and vital medical services once stood,” said Richmond Vice Mayor Jovanka Beckles.

At the Friday action, the protesters will also call on Contra Costa Supervisor John Gioia, to step up his leadership by advocating for DMC as a full-service acute care facility, not just a “stand alone” emergency room providing risky, fragmented care.

"The proposed 'stand alone' ER can't provide the quality care that our patients deserve and in fact, puts the people in West County at great risk when they need comprehensive emergency services in a timely way," said RN Carmen Crivello. "We need county leaders and health officials to put forth a strong vision that safeguards the health of all county residents, including those that live in West County, and that vision must include DMC operating as a full-service acute care facility."