Carle Health has suspended general surgery services at two Peoria-area hospitals

PEORIA - Carle Health has stopped providing general surgical services at two of its Peoria-area hospitals.

In a memo sent to employees last week, Carle announced that general surgery services will no longer be available at the Pekin or Proctor campuses effective Dec. 1, and that patients needing surgical care will be transferred to Methodist Hospital.

General surgery services at Carle Health hospitals are provided by physicians from Springfield Clinic. In the memo, Carle expressed hope that discussions between Carle Health and Springfield Clinic would reach a "mutually beneficial resolution."

Cal Thomas, chief development officer with Springfield Clinic, confirmed that their agreements with Carle Health to provide general surgery services at the two hospitals were not renewed.

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"Although our agreements at Pekin and Proctor Hospitals were not renewed, our commitment to partnering with local hospitals, like Carle, remains as strong as ever," he said in a written statement. "Ultimately, it's about providing exceptional care to patients in the Peoria area, whether at a partnering hospital or Springfield Clinic locations like our soon to be opened state-of-the-art Surgery Center."

Carle Health took over Pekin, Proctor and Methodist hospitals, as well as numerous clinics formerly owned by UnityPoint Health, last April.

Asked for more information about the cessation of surgical services at Proctor and Pekin hospitals, Carle Health provided the following statement:

"Carle Health provides a comprehensive array of surgical services across three hospitals in the Greater Peoria community. We continue to explore opportunities to ensure the highest quality and continuity of care based on specialist availability and the best use of resources. Subject to future change, as of Dec. 1, general surgery patients at Carle Health will receive surgical care at Carle Health Methodist Hospital."

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Carle Health suspends general surgery at Proctor and Pekin hospitals