Northfield Hospital + Clinics announced yesterday that its Board and Administration have made the decision to close the hospital’s Long Term Care Facility this fall.
The forty-bed unit, which has operated at Northfield Hospital for 60 years, has faced numerous challenges over the last few years, beginning with the Covid-19 Pandemic, and more recently the nursing shortage that has been a problem for health care systems across the country. Faced with mounting financial problems, the decision has been made to no longer offer the service.
Northfield Hospital + Clinics President and CEO Steve Underdahl has spoken often this year about the crisis that has occurred in America’s skilled nursing and long-term care facilities. Beyond the problems brought by Covid and a lack of qualified staff, Underdahl has said the economics no longer make sense. Inflation has driven costs extremely high, while reimbursements from both private and public entities have remained flat at best. Other organizations in the area, including Laura Baker Services Association, have described the same problem.
A statement issued by NH+C said the organization lost $9.1 million in 2022.
It should be noted that while Northfield Hospital + Clinics is owned by the City of Northfield, it is self-funded. The losses do not directly affect the city finances.
The statement also said they are following rules set by Minnesota law to manage the closure, working with the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to ensure compliance with state law. DHS regulates the management of skilled nursing facilities in Minnesota, with specific requirements and timelines that must be met when closing a facility. The statement promised NH+C would work to make the transition as “comfortable as possible” for residents and families of the Long Term Care Center. It also said they will work with affected staff to explore other job options within NH+C or with another local employer and will provide resources to help Long Term Care Center staff during this transition.
Northfield Hospital + Clinics expects to close the Long Term Care Facility by October 5th.
Board & Commission involvement can be highly educational
It is late summer, which is the season when the City of Northfield encourages all interested parties to consider joining one of the many municipal boards and commissions.
Members of the city boards and commissions participate in advisory, regulatory, governance and oversight activities in a wide variety of fields including housing, transportation and the arts. Other boards oversee specific city owned institutions like Northfield Hospital + Clinics and the Northfield Public Library. While some are purely advisory positions, others like the Planning Commission and the Heritage and Preservation Commission have quasi-judicial roles to fill from time to time in issuing building permits and certificates, or ruling on a zoning appeal. A statement issued by the city said more than 145 community members annually provide valuable leadership to the City through their participation on these groups and special study committees.
The statement went on to say that the City Council is committed to appointing members who reflect and represent diverse segments of the community.
Tracy Davis Heisler, the 2023 recipient of the Board & Commission Excellence Award, has served on the Planning Commission for many years, and has also been a member of the Economic Development Authority, as well as several task forces. She said the work done by the various groups is incredibly important and rewarding, adding that they can also be an excellent place for people to learn about the inner workings of municipal government.
“Most of the boards and commissions don’t have any requirement for specific educational background or expertise. All you need is to be a resident of Northfield. Anybody with an interest can apply. And you learn a lot. I mean you sit there at first and you feel stupid, and you feel self-conscious, and you don’t want to venture an opinion because you’re still absorbing and learning, but it’s a good way to get to know people and be involved.”
Candidates for the boards are appointed by Mayor Pownell with confirmation by the City Council. The mayor typically meets with candidates one-on-one as she seeks to fill the appointments.
A cursory glance at the Boards and Commissions page on the city website showed dozens of positions with expiring terms or boards with vacant seats.
For more information on the individual boards and commissions, as well as an electronic application visit the boards and commissions pages on the City of Northfield website. Paper applications may be obtained at the Administration Office in City Hall, or at the Northfield Public Library.
City Council will discuss Bridge Square plans, branding consultant, other items
And the Northfield City Council will meet tonight in the Council Chambers in City Hall with a busy agenda.
After meeting in closed session to discuss the pending litigation brought against Mayor Rhonda Pownell and City Clerk Lynnette Peterson, the Council will hear the second quarter police report from Northfield Chief of Police Mark Elliott, and a presentation from the Branding Commission on the consultant that is being recommended to aid in the City’s rebranding project.
The regular agenda items include the consideration of bonding for utility projects, consideration of a modification to the transit hub plans, a presentation of the final designs for the Bridge Square project, and the consideration of a resolution regarding preliminary authorization for a downtown redevelopment project.
As always, the city and the council are asking to hear opinions and comments from the public. Anyone who wishes to do so is invited to come to the meeting and address the council on any topic they see fit. Those wishing to voice their opinions without addressing the council should email their councilors directly or post a comment through the eComment button on the “Agendas” section of the City Council website.
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
