1. EMT services have already warned us that they do not have the capacity to absorb the more than 30,000+ yearly ED visits to Rockledge ER, and the added the 30 minute travel time when dealing with emergencies and more people will die enroute to life saving emergency rooms will be devastating. Viera Hospital does not have a functioning Heart Cath lab and so all Heart attacks will now have to be sent to CCH, Parrish or Melbourne, if they survive while getting to the already packed ERs
2. Since Rockledge receives 30,000+ ER visits per year, and they will now be rerouted to the nearest hospital depending upon the emergency. The lines in the ER will grow longer and these hospitals will be stressed beyond their staffing capabilities dealing with the influx of 80 -100 patients daily seen in the ER
3. The Urgent care clinics will be inundated with emergencies they are not equipped to handle
940 employees will be displaced effective 4/22/25 and will have to fend for their livelihoods and some will have to relocate. As much as Orlando Health is ensuring this, it is not possible for everyone to commute to Orlando for work on a daily basis and if they want to stay in Brevard county their options are limited.
As professionals, doctors and nurses, who offer life-saving care to their patients, we appeal to Orlando health to reconsider its decision to shut down this hospital and avoid harming a community they claimed they came to serve.