PeaceHealth Initiates Closure of University District Hospital, Prompting Backlash from Nurses Association

PeaceHealth Sacred Heart has announced plans to close its University District Hospital in Eugene, Oregon, and relocate most operations to the RiverBend campus in Springfield. The decision was made due to the belief that RiverBend can handle increased patient volume and the need for costly earthquake-resistant renovations at the University District location. The closure process will begin in early 2024, with 27 beds being temporarily relocated. The emergency department will move to RiverBend, while behavioral health and ambulatory services will remain at the University District. The hospital has been experiencing financial losses and lower patient numbers, with plans to redirect some patients to a planned crisis stabilization center in Lane County.