Monterey, CA Trauma Center Badly Needed On The Monterey Peninsula : Rest In Peace Kathy Dearing

View From A Non-Profit Serving Carmel, Carmel Valley, Gonzalez, Greenfield, King City, Marina, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach, Salinas, Seaside And Soledad California

Both Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital (SVMH) and Natividad Medical Center are interested in bidding on building a new trauma center.  However, they have requested a six month delay in the review process to submit bids for building a Level II Trauma Center.  That means that the review process won't even start until 2015.  A civil grand jury issued a report saying that the county should move forward without further delays, opting instead for a lower level of care facility (Level III trauma center) if the two hospitals don't move forward.  A Level II trauma center provides round-the-clock access to essential medical specialists, including trauma surgeons, as well as trained staff and equipment.  Some specialists are allowed to be on call.  A Level III trauma center may not have full access to specialists, but is required to be capable of providing access to emergency resuscitation, surgery and intensive care trauma patients.  This type of service is badly needed on the Monterey Peninsula.  One member of the funds development committee at the Alzheimer's Association, of which I am a big supporter, was hit by a car crossing the street in Pacific Grove last week.  She was also a supporter of Hands To Help Seniors, and we thank her for her commitment to our non-profit and the Alzheimer's Association.  She was airlifted to a trauma center in San Jose, but for her it was too late.  Rest in Peace Kathy Dearing, all your good work will be remembered

Please note that this blog reflects my personal opinion and may or may not reflect the opinion of Hands To Help Seniors and the individual members comprising the Board of Governors.