Orland Woman Says Planning for Oak Forest Hospital Transfers is Lax

The end of inpatient services at Oak Forest Hospital continues to draw criticism from south suburban residents who use the medical center.

Diane Roth, of Orland Park, says the planning for the move of patients to other facilities is insufficient. Her cousin, who's on a ventilator, has been in the facility for 17 years.

“They say they’re working with families to help them relocate, but that’s not the case. They just peek their head in his door occasionally and ask if he’s made a plan. Mike’s been in the same hospital, in the same room, for the past 17 years and has received phenomenal care.

“It would be near impossible to get everything squared away and moved in the time frame they’re talking,”

She voiced her opinions on Monday at Oak Forest City Hall at a hearing convened by hosted by the Illinois House’s Health and Health Care Disparities Committee and covered by Sun-Times Media.

On May 10, the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board is expected to approve the county's plan to turn the place into an outpatient center by June 1.