York Hospital to Suspend Emergency Services at Wells, ME location

York Hospital will temporarily suspend emergency services at its Wells location starting Monday.

The hospital did not offer a specific reason for the decision except say it was to improve service at its other "community locations" in Berwick, Kittery, Sanford and South Berwick. Walk-in Urgent Care services will continue in Wells.

"As the pandemic continues to affect the daily operations of health care organizations throughout Maine, York Hospital maintains its commitment to provide our patients with the quality care they expect from us," hospital spokeswoman Jean Kolak told Seacoast Current in a statement.

“This temporary change will allow us the flexibility we need at this time to appropriately care for our patients, both at Wells Urgent Care and the York Hospital Emergency Department. We appreciate our community’s continued patience and understanding as we work to safely care for all of our patients,” York Hospital President, Dr. Patrick Taylor said.

Kolak did not disclose if the decision was related to any staffing issues created by the state's COVID-19 vaccination mandate which will be enforced beginning Oct. 29. Workers who do not comply risk losing their jobs.

"Currently York Hospital has 98% compliance with the state of Maine health care provider vaccine mandate. York Hospital will be 100% compliant with the new regu"lations as of the October 28th deadline," Kolak said.

The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge to the mandate.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNH