NORWOOD – Steward Health Care has announced its decision to abandon Norwood Hospital and its four satellite clinics, leaving patients at the facilities in Norwood and Foxborough to seek care elsewhere.
A Hospital Left in Ruins Norwood Hospital, which has remained closed since severe flooding damaged the building in 2020, continued to operate four satellite facilities until now. However, Steward confirmed that these satellite offices will also shut down when their licenses expire in November. State health officials are now actively exploring options to maintain continuity of care in the area and hope to find a buyer for the hospital.
History of Setbacks The hospital’s recovery efforts stalled in February, and it was reported that Steward had already intended to abandon its reopening plans. U.S. Congressman Stephen Lynch had previously raised concerns about the company’s commitment to the facility.
Financial Woes and Closures Steward Health Care has been embroiled in financial troubles, filing for bankruptcy in May and offering all its U.S. hospitals for sale. The company, which once owned nine hospitals in Massachusetts, has already shuttered Carney Hospital in Dorchester and Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer, despite protests from community members and local lawmakers.
In an unprecedented move last month, Governor Maura Healey seized control of St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center through eminent domain.
Investigations and Leadership Turmoil Steward Health Care has also been the subject of a CBS News investigation, scrutinizing how private equity and investors have extracted hundreds of millions of dollars from community hospitals. Ralph de la Torre, the company’s CEO, recently stepped down after being held in contempt by the U.S. Senate for failing to comply with a subpoena. Steward’s abandonment of Norwood Hospital, along with the satellite clinics, was confirmed through a bankruptcy filing in Texas federal court.
The four satellite facilities slated for closure include Norwood Performance Therapy, Norwood Hospital Cancer Care Center in Foxborough, Foxboro Medical Center, and Guild Imaging Center in Norwood.
Future Uncertain for Norwood Hospital Norwood Hospital has not been directly included in Steward’s broader bankruptcy proceedings. The property remains under the control of its landlord, Medical Properties Trust. Any future developer or operator interested in reviving the hospital would first need to negotiate a deal with the trust, according to reports.
Impact on Patients and Employees The closures, expected to take place by November 5, are part of a larger trend that includes Steward’s efforts to manage its $9 billion debt. The company has stated it will help displaced employees find alternative job opportunities, including coordinating with the Massachusetts Department of Labor and Department of Unemployment Assistance.
Despite these efforts, the future of Norwood Hospital and its ability to serve the local community remains uncertain, with significant hurdles ahead in both the property’s development and overall healthcare services in the area.
