Reopening of Brockton Hospital delayed in wake of fire. Why and what's reopening when

Chris Helms, The Enterprise
·2 min read

BROCKTON — Signature Healthcare had hoped to reopen Brockton Hospital fully by the end of the year.

But citing supply chain problems, hospital leaders now say key services like inpatient care and the emergency department won't reopen until 2024.

In an interview on Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023, Signature's director of facilities and engineering, Brian Backoff, said estimates change daily for when the first day of full service will take place. Until then, nearby hospitals, most notably Brockton's Good Samaritan Medical Center, will continue to bear the brunt of additional patients. Items the hospital has had trouble sourcing include electrical panels and breakers, he said.

A small but significant milestone could come Tuesday, Aug. 15, as the hospital plans to offer the first services inside the hospital since a 10-alarm electrical fire forced the evacuation and closure of the facility on Feb. 7, 2023. Pending regulatory approvals, the hospital aims to start doing wound care and infusion therapies at the 680 Centre St. facility. Those functions now take place at Signature locations on Liberty Street.

In September, the hospital plans to reopen for outpatient services and colonoscopies. Hospital leaders said they don't have a particular month in 2024 by which they expect to have full services restored.

Meanwhile, residents are urged not to come to Brockton Hospital for emergency treatment. Instead, many reasons people go to the emergency room can be treated instead at urgent care centers. Signature Healthcare has a 24-hour urgent care center on the hospital campus at 650 Centre St. and 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Signature Medical Group at 110 Liberty St.

Repairs are underway at Brockton Hospital Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023. The hospital has been shuttered since a 10-alarm fire on Feb. 7, 2023.
Repairs are underway at Brockton Hospital Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023. The hospital has been shuttered since a 10-alarm fire on Feb. 7, 2023.

Brockton Hospital reopening timeline

  • Tuesday, Feb. 7: 10-alarm fire forces evacuation and closing

  • Tuesday, Aug. 15: Partial reopening, but only for wound care and infusion therapy

  • September: Outpatient surgeries and colonoscopies

  • 2024: Full service, including inpatient care and emergency department

Source: Signature Healthcare executives as of Aug. 2, 2023.

Send your news tips to reporter Chris Helms by email at CHelms@enterprisenews.com or connect on Twitter at @HelmsNews.

This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Brockton Hospital reopening for emergency and inpatient care in 2024