A New Approach Needed to Save Emergency and Acute Care at San Leandro Hospital

On behalf of the Alameda County Health Committee, I join my fellow Supervisor Nadia Lockyer in calling for a new approach for the future of San Leandro Hospital, one that recognizes the critical need for emergency and acute care in San Leandro. 

We support a new plan that keeps the hospital open, saves jobs, honors existing contracts and demonstrates that the hospital has community support and a solid plan for long-term fiscal sustainability.  Recently St. Rose Hospital brought forward a plan to bring together St. Rose and San Leandro Hospitals into the Eden Township Healthcare District.  It could be an excellent solution if all of the above conditions can be met and Eden can successfully bring Sutter to the table. 

As a county, we are prepared to move forward and can help evaluate fiscal alternatives, advocate for state and federal funds to assist in any transition and convene all parties to work together on the solution that’s best for our community.  Last week, our Board took action to inform both Sutter and the Alameda County Medical Center that we do not support the 2009 agreement that would have eliminated the emergency room and acute beds at San Leandro Hospital. However, we can’t do it alone. 

We welcome the assistance and leadership offered by the combination of St. Rose, Eden, and our legislative representatives to find viable alternatives for critical county rehabilitation services.  We call on Sutter, the community and all private and public entities seeking a new alternative to commit to a process to work together to build a new future for San Leandro Hospital.