(DUNKIRK, NEW YORK) – Following a long, seven-year wait, Governor Kathy Hochul has announced New York State has released the necessary funds to build a new and modern Brooks Memorial Hospital to serve the residents of Northern Chautauqua County, news that 1199 Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) are both praising, saying the announcement “provides renewed hope of keeping access to quality care local.”

“The Governor’s announcement provides renewed hope of keeping access to quality care local.  Thanks to Governor Hochul, thousands of residents will have a new modern facility to receive health care in their community for many years to come,” 1199 SEIU and NYSNA said in a joint statement.

The new facility carries a price tag of $71 million, $57 million of which is a grant from Essential Healthcare Provider Support Program (EHCPSP) to build the new hospital and to convert TLC Lakeshore to an Ambulatory Destination Center that specializes in chemical dependency.  

In addition, the 2017 New York State Budget also included a $17 million Healthcare Facility Transformation Grant to help build the Northern Chautauqua County Hospital. 

In October of last year, Hospital Workers organized a huge public rally at the hospital’s entrance and in March brought the community together for a forum to urge the New York State Department of Health to disperse funding.

The Build Brooks Now Campaign to push for release of funding was a grassroots community effort that included the Dunkirk AFL-CIO Central Labor Council, the Western New York AFL-CIO Area Labor Federation, State Senator George Borrello, State Assemblyman Andy Goodell, Chautauqua County Legislators, Dunkirk Mayor Kate Wdowiasz, Fredonia Mayor Michael Ferguson, Chautauqua County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Council, the Seneca Nation and Susan Parker.

Union Members were also ecstatic over the announcement.

“It’s a huge win for the residents of Northern Chautauqua County to maintain access to health care close to home,” said Tara Walrod, a Radiologic Technologist and Member of 1199 SEIU who is employed at Brooks Hospital.

Registered Nurse (RN) Heather Luce, a NYSNA Member also employed at Brooks Hospital, said: "The release of funds to build a new Brooks not only ensures a building that will stand for many years to come but ensures high-quality care for the communities in Chautauqua County - care that all Health Care Professionals at Brooks have been trained to provide.  Rural health care should not be valued less than health care anywhere else, and this funding ensures that the people and families that our State relies on for agriculture and industry can live here, thrive here, and have access to quality health care here.”

1199 SEIU Organized Cheryl Marino said: “The community has waited seven long years to hear the news that funds would be released to build a new state-of-the-art facility.  It has been a long journey.  Hospital Workers came together to lobby Elected Officials, organize rallies, hold face-to-face conversations with residents in this community to ensure that this day would happen.  The future of this community is bright with the state’s release of ($75 million) in funding desperately needed to build the new Brooks Memorial Hospital.  This rural community will benefit from continued quality care and a truly dedicated Health Care Workforce.  We have preserved Union jobs and maintained local access to essential health care services."  

1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East - whose mission is to achieve quality care and good jobs for all, is the largest and fastest-growing Health Care Union in America, representing more than 450,000 Nurses and Caregivers throughout the States of Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Florida and in Washington, D.C. and Florida.

NYSNA represents more than 42,000 Members across the State and is New York’s largest Union and Professional Association for RNs.  NYSNA is an affiliate of National Nurses United, the country's largest and fastest-growing Union and Professional Association of RNs, with more than 225,000 Members nationwide.

For More On This Labor News Story, Go To: Governor Hochul Announces Agreement With Kaleida Health and Brooks-TLC Health Systems to Build New Hospital in Chautauqua County | Governor Kathy Hochul (ny.gov)

Artist Rendering Of The New Brooks Memorial Hospital Courtesy Of Governor Hochul’s Press Office.