Santa Clara County health officials are sounding the alarm that if Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital in Hollister shutters, nearby emergency rooms, especially St. Louise Regional Hospital in Gilroy, will feel the squeeze fast. County modeling shows St. Louise could be hit with roughly 11,000 additional emergency visits a year, pushing its annual total past 61,000, and forcing the hospital to add several new emergency stations and more staff just to keep pace. The scenario has local leaders and Hollister residents on edge, even though Hazel Hawkins is still open. County officials say they are sketching out contingency plans now so they are not scrambling later if the hospital’s finances slide.
County Modeling Shows Gilroy’s ER Taking the Hit
According…..