BERWICK, Pa. — The owner of the facility, Priyam Sharma, announced plans to close the facility and turn it into a psychiatric facility back in July.
Sharma previously filed for bankruptcy protection for the affiliated Berwick Clinic Company.
Then last month, the emergency department at the hospital was abruptly closed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health due to a lack of staffing.
The Department of Human Services reacted to the bankruptcy protection filing, releasing a statement that says in part, "DHS granted a license for Berwick Hospital to begin to operate as a psychiatric facility with 14 beds, and this filing alone would not affect that licensure. As always, patient care and safety remain a top priority for the department."
The attorney representing Sharma also released a statement saying, "We filed a Chapter 11 bankruptcy for Berwick Hospital so that it could continue to operate as a much-needed mental health hospital without the crippling legacy costs of when it was acquired as an acute care hospital."
See news happening? Text our Newstip Hotline.