Brooklyn judge orders restoration of key services at LICH
Justice Baynes appoints ombudsman, tells SUNY to get rid of armed guards
Long Island College Hospital (LICH) supporters celebrated a victory in Cobble Hill late Friday after Supreme Court Justice Johnny Lee Baynes ordered the immediate restoration of hospital services and staffing to the levels that were in place on July 19.
Justice Baynes also ordered SUNY Downstate, which has been trying to close LICH despite several court orders, to immediately restore or repair any equipment that was in place on July 19.
The “standstill order” will keep LICH open for care until discussions between SUNY Downstate and a number of groups working to keep LICH open resolve the matter through negotiation. In his order, Justice Baynes said that he has been advised by the Special Referee “that the parties are engaged in ongoing good faith negotiations and hope to resolve the matter to their satisfaction.”
“SUNY tried to padlock this hospital four weeks ago. We’ve watched it violate court orders in broad daylight. Now, the court is putting all that to an end. These steps will ensure this community will have continuity of care for the immediate future,” said Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, who has put his all into keeping the hospital open, even getting arrested during a rally. “This is a huge step forward.”