UPDATE: OSF ‘prepared’ to meet health care needs of Illinois Valley as St. Margaret’s Health closes Spring Valley hospital next week

UPDATE (9:45 p.m.) - Peoria-based OSF HealthCare said it’s in the process of acquiring “some” of St. Margaret’s Health assets, including the hospital in Peru, which closed in January. However, OSF does not mention if it intends to acquire St. Margaret’s Health facility in Spring Valley, which is set for closure just before midnight next Friday.

“We are determining how best to provide necessary services to the Illinois Valley, but this process, along with the necessary regulatory approvals, takes time,” OSF said in a statement released Friday night.

“We welcome with open arms the many employees of St. Margaret’s Health who have recently joined OSF and those who will become part our Ministry in the future.” OSF said.

“Please know that OSF is prepared, ready and confident we will be able to meet the needs of the community through currently available offices and clinics. If you are in need of immediate, emergency care, dial 9-1-1 or you can visit OSF Saint Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa, OSF Saint Clare Medical Center in Princeton, or OSF Saint Paul Medical Center in Mendota,” OSF also said.

UPDATE (9:00 p.m.) Area lawmakers, State Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) and State Rep. Lance Yednock (D-Ottawa), released a statement after St. Margaret Health announced the closure next week of its hospital in Spring Valley.

“Today’s announcement is extremely disappointing. Since learning about the potential shutdown of the Spring Valley hospital, we have been working with the Governor’s Administration and Legislative Leaders to secure state financial support for the duration of the ownership transfer of the Peru hospital.

During these talks, the Administration and leadership were skeptical that SMH would truly utilize state funding for payroll needs. This skepticism unfortunately appears to have been warranted after the advanced payment from OSF, which we were assured would be used for payroll, was used to pay off debts owed to their financial bank.

Both of us truly feel for dedicated employees, patients, and community members who will now be forced to seek medical care and employment elsewhere. Meanwhile, we will continue to do everything within our power to help assist and fast-track the purchase and reopening of the Peru hospital to ensure that our community will have access to quality healthcare.”

PEORIA (25News Now) - Spring Valley in Bureau County is about to become the next small community to lose its hospital.

St. Margaret Health’s Board of Directors decided to close its Spring Valley facility next Friday, June 16 at 11:59 p.m., according to a memo sent to hospital employees and obtained by 25News on Friday.

The memo said St. Margaret’s “no longer has sufficient resources to continue operations.”

Memo from St. Margaret's Health(25News Now)

“This is not the outcome any of us wanted and it is due to many circumstances beyond our control,” said Tim Muntz, St. Margaret’s president and CEO.

St. Margaret Health’s hospital in Peru closed Jan. 28.

Last month, Peoria-based OSF HealthCare said it filed an intent to purchase health facilities within St. Margaret’s network, but it’s not known what St. Margaret facilities would operate under OSF management.

“While I write this with great sadness and regret, I want to thank all of you and our community for supporting the Mission of the Sisters of Mary of the Presentation for the last 120-years,” Muntz said in the memo.