Impact of the Closure of a Hospital on the Surrounding Community and Residents

Abstract

After the Brandywine and Jennersville Hospital closures in 2021 and 2022, the Greater Coatesville Community experienced a drastic decrease in access to healthcare. Along with acute care, the closures took with it primary care practitioners, some broad-based social services, and critical connections to the continuum of care. In response to the events, the Alliance for Health Equity (The Alliance), a health conversion foundation, convened The Health Equity Group to develop strategies to mitigate the effects of the closures. In mid-2022, with the partnership of Chester County, The Alliance surveyed greater Coatesville to map out the impact on the community and the current status of its health. After collecting the initial responses, it was clear that the survey did not represent the community members who needed a voice. In partnership with community partners and leaders, a survey expansion garnered responses from two latter groups, including the least engaged by no fault of their own. With the receipt of a grant from the American Rescue Plan, The Alliance launched a response by creating The Equity Health Center and the Anchor Strategy: A Place-Based Approach for Health Equity in Greater Coatesville. This article focuses on the impacts of the more proximal Brandywine Hospital.