Dear Editor,
On March 30, 2009, a letter was posted regarding the economic turmoil and its effects on the Guyanese community (SN ‘Guyanese in New York feeling the crunch’ by Mr Vishnu Bisram). The letter states that Brookdale Hospital has closed. This information is incorrect. Brookdale Hospital implemented a workforce reduction of 240 employees. Please see the release that we sent out to local media. Also, since the closing of Mary Immaculate and St John Hospitals, most hospitals in Queens have experienced an influx of patients, including Jamaica Hospital. To address this issue, we have added approximately 40 patient beds in the hospital and expanded our Emergency Department by relocating other departments and offices. In addition, we are increasing our staffing levels in some areas.
Yours faithfully,
Natifia Gaines
Public Relations Coordinator
Public Affairs Department
Jamaica Hospital Medical Center
