Released: August 11, 2022
The County of Delaware and Prospect Crozer have reached a mutually amicable agreement to settle pending litigation regarding the provision of behavioral health services in Delaware County. The honorable Judge Kelly D. Eckel of the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas approved the agreement on August 10.
Per the agreement, Prospect Crozer has agreed to discontinue any plans to pursue closures of behavioral health facilities, including those located at Crozer-Chester Medical Center and the Crozer-Chester Medical Center Community Campus and agrees to provide uninterrupted service to patients. The Delaware County petition regarding the proposed closings has been withdrawn, and the hearing that was scheduled for August 22, 2022, has been dismissed and removed from the Court’s calendar.
“We’re very pleased to reach an agreement with Crozer Health, and we want to thank our Chief of Human Services and Community Support, Sandy Garrison, and our Solicitor’s Office, under the direction of William Martin, for reaching this agreement with Crozer Health,” said Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor. “This will ensure that critical behavioral health services will be provided uninterrupted and that our residents will continue to have access to the high-quality care that Crozer Health has provided to Delaware County for years.”
“Our leadership team maintained consistent contact with Delaware County Council, and we’re pleased that we could achieve a fair resolution and maintain vital services for our patients,” said Crozer Health CEO Anthony Esposito.
Per the agreement, in the event that any issues or special circumstances temporarily require individuals to be relocated or diverted to other locations within the Crozer Health network, timely notice is to be provided by Prospect Crozer to the County prior to such a temporary relocation. The agreement also confirms Prospect Crozer’s compliance with the County’s recently passed ordinance, which requires notice of a planned sale of a hospital or the closure of a hospital, or specified departments, including a behavioral health unit.
The County will continue to work to expand behavioral health and mental health providers to offer residents a greater depth of resources. Under the direction of County Council, the County is pursuing all options to ensure that residents have the care they need.