MetroWest Medical Center Oncology Cuts Halted By Tufts Negotiations

FRAMINGHAM, MA - As dozens of people packed into Nevins Hall Wednesday night to protest the potential closure of some oncology services at Framingham's MetroWest Medical Center, the facility's owner announced discussions with Tufts Medical to take over these services there.

Tenet Healthcare, a multinational healthcare company based in Dallas, Texas that owns the facility, had proposed to cut some oncology services, including hematology oncology, radiation oncology and infusion services. This decision provoked scathing remarks by Katie Murphy, president of the Massachusets Nurses Association, who called the decision "shameful."

“As a practicing nurse, and on behalf nurses who provide oncology care in the Commonwealth, I can tell you there is no medical, no moral and no financial justification for Tenet’s decision to abandon this vital service to this community,” Murphy said.

The meeting was held in a hybrid format. While there was phone participation, there was no virtual component provided.

In a statement released to Patch during the meeting, Carolyn Jackson, the chief executive officer of Massachusetts Market at Tenet Healthcare, said the need for these services decreased over the past three years, which prompted the initial decision to stop them.

"This decline in utilization indicates a change in the community’s need and choices for these services," she said, "and MetroWest Medical Center determined it can better serve its community by focusing on expanding and enhancing programs and services where substantial patient need does exist such as cardiac, behavioral health, surgical services, emergency care, and obstetrical services.

"To ensure continued access to oncology infusion and radiation oncology services for current patients, I am pleased to announce that MetroWest Medical Center and Tufts Medicine are in exclusive negotiations for Tufts Medicine to provide a wide range of oncology services at MetroWest Medical Center," Jackson continued, "including hematology oncology, radiation oncology and infusion services."

Jackson praised DPH officials for holding the meeting in the community and listening to people's concerns.

"In furtherance of MetroWest Medical Center’s commitment to ensuring a smooth transition for its patients, we will work with our current patients regardless of where they choose to continue their care, whether it be continued services at MetroWest Medical Center’s location with Tufts Medicine, transitioning to MetroWest Medical Center’s sister facility, Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester, or at other hospitals with comparable services," she added.

Making the process "as seamless and as comfortable as possible for its patients" is a priority, Jackson said.

The facility is also working to bolster its connection to the community by investing in its acute care campus in Framingham as well as the behavioral health center in Natick. In addition, it is reinstating the community liaison position at MetroWest Medical Center.

This move comes as David Elgarcio, the new MWMC chief executive officer, assumes his new role in less than two weeks.

"David is an experienced healthcare executive with a history of delivering high quality care and service growth at the organizations he has led," Jackson said, noting he is moving here from the West Coast.

A joint statement released Wednesday night confirmed the negotiations as well as other possible future joint efforts.

"Tufts Medicine and MetroWest Medical Center also plan to explore other potential collaborations to meet the needs of patients in the MetroWest Community," according to the statement. "Tufts Medicine and MetroWest Health Care Alliance, a 185-member physician organization that is part of Tufts Medicine Integrated Network, have a deep commitment to providing outstanding healthcare services in the region. These services include the Heart Center of MetroWest, Tufts Medical Center Primary Care, and MetroWest Lung and Heart Center."

Rep. Jack Lewis on Thursday expressed his concern over the potential stoppage of services at Framingham Union since it was announced in April.

“Since the proposed closure of Framingham Union’s oncology program was announced in April, there has been a lot of uncertainty in our community," he said. "How would people without access to a car travel an hour for regular cancer treatment? How would folks who work locally in jobs without flexibility find time for their care? "And our immigrant community, already systemically harmed by failures in our health care system, how would they receive the care they need and deserve?"

He added that he was pleased that DPH heard the community's concerns, read the emails from his constituents and attended the meeting.

"At our earliest meeting, when we learned of this proposed closure, Carolyn Jackson said that Tenet would very much support another hospital taking over these services at Framingham Union," he explained regarding the Tufts partnership. "And over the last several months, while serious mitigation strategies were being explored, her team did exactly that.

"While I may disagree with Tenet’s business model and we have been on the opposite sides of previous issues, I am grateful that Tenet explored options that were offered," Lewis continued. "It was wonderful to see representatives from Tufts and Tenet together last night outlining a new and promising future for our community’s local hospital.”