On January 17, there will be a public hearing regarding the closure of Sanford Bemidji’s inpatient rehabilitation facility…

According to a submission filed by Sanford Health, the inpatient rehabilitation unit beds will be transferred to other units within the medical center beginning April 1. Patients requiring inpatient rehabilitation will be referred to swing-beds, skilled nursing facilities or other facilities outside of the area.

The Health Regulation Division of MDH will organise the hearing in order to give the larger Bemidji community a platform for discussion on the transition.

Participation in the public hearing is available through the Sanford Bemidji Medical Centre Public Hearing Microsoft Teams event or by phoning (651) 395-7448 and entering the access number 238 345 226#.

The Sanford Bemidji Medical Centre Public Hearing webpage has additional details on the hearing, including information regarding accessibility accommodations and a form for submitting questions or comments from the public.

Thec Legislature enacted legislation in June 2021 mandating a public notice and hearing prior to the closure of a hospital or hospital campus, the relocation of services, or the discontinuation of specific services. Minnesota Statutes Sec. 31 contains information about the legislation.

On January 17, there will be a public hearing regarding the closure of Sanford Bemidji’s inpatient rehabilitation facility.

BEMIDJI — On Wednesday, January 17, at 6 p.m., the Minnesota Department of Health will host a virtual public hearing to discuss the closure of Sanford Bemidji Medical Center’s inpatient rehabilitation programme.

The beds in the inpatient rehabilitation facility will be moved to other medical centre units on April 1st, per a submission submitted by Sanford Health. Swing-beds, skilled nursing facilities, or other facilities outside the region will be the destination for patients in need of inpatient rehabilitation.

The Health Regulation Division of MDH will organise the hearing in order to give the larger Bemidji community a platform for discussion on the transition.

Participation in the public hearing is available through the Sanford Bemidji Medical Centre Public Hearing Microsoft Teams event or by phoning (651) 395-7448 and entering the access number 238 345 226#.

The Sanford Bemidji Medical Centre Public Hearing webpage has additional details on the hearing, including information regarding accessibility accommodations and a form for submitting questions or comments from the public.

The Minnesota Legislature enacted legislation in June 2021 mandating a public notice and hearing prior to the closure of a hospital or hospital campus, the relocation of services, or the discontinuation of specific services. Minnesota Statutes Sec. 31 contains information about the legislation.

BEMIDJI — The Minnesota Department of Health will hold a virtual public hearing on Wednesday, January 17, at 6 p.m. to address the closing of the inpatient rehabilitation programme at Sanford Bemidji Medical Centre.

According to a submission made by Sanford Health, the inpatient rehabilitation facility’s beds would be transferred to other medical centre units on April 1. Patients in need of inpatient rehabilitation will end up in swing-beds, skilled nursing institutions, or other facilities outside of the area.

The MDH Health Regulation Division will host the hearing to provide a forum for the greater Bemidji community to debate the transition.

The Sanford Bemidji Medical Centre Public Hearing Microsoft Teams event or calling (651) 395-7448 and entering the access number 238 345 226# are the two ways to participate in the public hearing.

A form for public questions and comments, as well as information on accessibility accommodations, are available on the webpage for the public hearing at Sanford Bemidji Medical Centre.

In June 2021, the Minnesota Legislature passed laws requiring a public notice and hearing before closing a hospital or hospital campus, moving services, or stopping certain services. Section 31 of the Minnesota Statutes provides details about the legislation.