Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE

RE: ST. LUKE'S HOSPITAL - EMS SERVICES
FROM: BOROUGH OF FOUNTAIN HILL

The Express Times published an article entitled "St. Luke's Meeting Behind Closed Doors". Subsequently, an editorial was published entitled "Let Sun Shine In On Meeting With Fountain Hilll/St. Luke's.

With respect to the presentation by St. Luke's of EMS service to Borough residents, the Borough has at all times acted in accordance with the Borough Code and the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act.

The issue of whether Borough residents were being properly served by St. Luke's EMS was first raised at a Borough Council meeting on May 1, 2006. St. Luke's was invited and agreed to attend a public work session on May 17, 2006. Four representatives of St. Luke's appeared at the work session on May 17, 2006 to present to Borough Council in public a report concerning EMS services to Fountain Hill residents.

At that meeting, Councilperson, Helen Halleman objected to the presentation and while Council was prepared to move forward and receive the report in public, representatives of St. Luke's decided to honor the request of Councilperson Halleman and present the information at a later meeting.

Borough Council then decided to receive the information from St. Luke's administratively through a fact finding committee, which committee would report to Borough Council in public at a duly advertised public meeting where public comment would be accepted.

It was never the intent of the Borough or St. Luke's to have any secret meeting behind closed doors and not permit a full discussion in public with input from its citizens.

With respect to work sessions, these meetings are to review the agenda for the next meeting of Borough Council and it is not anticipated that any official action will be taken at such meeting. However, the meeting is duly advertised, the public is welcome to attend and if any official action is taken by Borough Council, public comment is permitted on such official action before a vote is taken.

The conduct of the work sessions are in accord with the public participation provisions of the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act.

In order to avoid further controversy, St. Luke's will present its report at a future regular or special meeting of Borough Council.