Berkshire Medical Center provided the following updates on health care services in the Northern Berkshires following Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing by Northern Berkshire Healthcare on April 3. Approximately 530 people were employed by NBH.
Employment
As of today [April 9, 2014], Berkshire Medical Center has hired 143 former employees of North Adams Regional Hospital and Northern Berkshire Health. This includes the physicians and other clinical support staff for the former NBH physician practices, VNA & Hospice of Northern Berkshire staff, physicians, nurses and staff for the planned Satellite Emergency Facility and other support services. Of these, 96 are permanent positions and 47 are temporary 90-day positions. Some of the temporary positions, depending on the ongoing needs of providing services and care in North Berkshire, may become permanent or extended beyond 90-days. Additionally, BMC has hired 4 former NARH/NBH employees to fill current open positions at the Medical Center.
Physician Practices
- Northern Berkshire OB/GYN – practicing in their existing location the remainder of this week, and effective Monday, April 14th will reopen on the second floor of 2 Park Street in Adams. Phone number remains the same.
- Northern Berkshire Family Medicine – continuing to practice in their existing location on State Road next to Harriman-West Airport. Phone number remains the same.
- Greylock Gastroenterology, Berkshire Hematology Oncology, Cardiology and Urology Services – remaining in practice in the Ambulatory Care Building on the grounds of North Adams Regional Hospital. The building is owned by a private entity not related to NARH and is unaffected by the NARH closure or bankruptcy.
Laboratory & Testing Services
- Laboratory Blood Drawing Stations in North Berkshire are located in North Adams, Adams and Williamstown. They are located at:
- North Adams: Ambulatory Care Building, 77 Hospital Avenue, Berkshire Hematology Oncology office, open from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm weekdays – this station will be relocated to another suite, also in the Ambulatory Care Building, in the near future, but a date has not been finalized for that move
- Adams: 19 Depot Street, 2nd floor (Adams Internists building), also open 7:30 am to 4:00 pm weekdays
- Williamstown: Williamstown Medical Associates continues to operate its blood drawing station at its Adams Road offices for patients of Williamstown Medical Associates
VNA & Hospice Care
- Home care and Hospice services continue uninterrupted in Northern Berkshire, with former employees of VNA & Hospice of Northern Berkshire hired as BMC employees, as both full time and per diem staff. The per diem staff is maintaining their previous work commitment at their request.
- VNA & Hospice will be opening an office at 26 Union Street, first floor, North Adams in the near future.
Ecu-Health Care
- Ecu Healthcare will be relocating in the near future to 26 Union Street, first floor, North Adams. Berkshire Health Systems is providing financial support to Ecu Health Care to aid in facilitating the move. Ecu Health Care is not affiliated with Berkshire Health Systems and continues as an independent agency assisting Northern Berkshire residents with access to health coverage.
Care Line
- BMC continues to maintain a toll free Care Line for North Berkshire residents who have questions about accessing services, transportation or general healthcare questions. That number is 855-262-5465.
