Chicago, IL – To protest the abrupt and dangerous closure of Provident Hospital’s Emergency Room, registered nurses at Provident Hospital are holding an action and media availability during their shift change to describe how this closure will endanger the health and safety of the patient community Provident Hospital serves. Cook County Health Systems claim that closing the ER was unavoidable due to an anticipated rise in COVID-19 cases in which Provident’s ER was not physically designed to accommodate. While this is true, CCHS knew the limitations that the ER provided when they initially began working on a COVID-19 surge plan in January of 2020. With less than three days notice, without consulting the community, and without notifying the nurses who are on the frontlines, CCHHS closed the Emergency Room at Provident. National Organizing Committee/National Nurses United is the nation’s largest and fastest-growing nurses union representing 150,000 registered nurses across the country.

WHO: Imelda Allen, Dennis Kosuth, Monica Owens, and other RN members of National Nurses United  

WHAT: Action and RN media availability to speak out against the abrupt and dangerous closure of the Provident Hospital Emergency Room to patients and the community.

WHERE:  500 E 51st St, Chicago, IL 60615 

WHEN: April 6, 2020 4:00 PM CT

If you are interested in sending a camera crew to the press conference or in learning more about the situation at Provident Hospital, registered nurses will be available for the press.