FILE PHOTO
The sign at the entrance decorated for the “Valley Goes Pink,” a breast cancer awareness initiative, in 2015.
Birmingham Health Center, a nursing home at 210 Chatfield St. in Derby, will be closing its doors, according to Derby officials and federal bankruptcy court records.
Spectrum Health Care, LLC, the nursing home’s owner, has been in bankruptcy court since October 2016.
The pending closure will result in 120 layoffs, according to Derby Mayor Rich Dziekan’s office. The nursing home has 110 residents who will have to find another place to live, according to the mayor.
“I am deeply saddened by the news that The Birmingham Healthcare Center on Chatfield Street will be closing,” Dziekan said. “Despite the best efforts of both local legislators and business leaders, 120 jobs will be lost and 110 patients will be displaced. Our concern now is for those 230 individuals who face uncertainty when layoffs commence in roughly 60 days.”
James J. Tancredi, a U.S. bankruptcy court judge, signed an order April 10 allowing the owners to “wind down and cease to operate” the facility.
A copy of that order is embedded at the bottom of this story.
The judge refers to the company as “Spectrum Derby” in the court document.
According to the order, Spectrum Derby must submit a “facility closing plan” to the state’s Department of Public Health, and give 60 days notice to employees and public officials.
A screen shot of a notice posted on the state Department of Labor website.
The state Department of Labor website lists the closing date as June 10 “or later.”
The owners must also give each nursing home resident 30 days notice before they are discharged.
Birmingham Health Center is the third nursing home in the Naugatuck Valley to close since 2009. It follows Hilltop Health Center in Ansonia and Marshall Lane Manor in Derby.
“The city is losing an institution that cared for elderly citizens for decades and I hate to see them go. My office will do whatever we can to help direct those affected by the closing to the appropriate state agencies who can hopefully be of assistance,” Mayor Dziekan said.
David S. Dearborn, a spokesman for the state’s Department of Social Services, said several agencies get involved when nursing homes close.
“In general, in the event of nursing home closure, state agencies (including the Departments of Public Health and Social Services, and the Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman) collaborate with ownership, residents and families to assist in careful transition planning,” Dearborn said in an email. “As one aspect, the Department of Social Services offers the ‘Money Follows the Person’ program, which can assist certain older adults and individuals with disabilities move from institutional care to community living, through professional assessment, case management and supports.”
A phone message was left with the facilty’s owner. Emails seeking comment were sent to the union representing the workers. This story will be updated.
Birmingham Health Center by The Valley Indy on Scribd
