Cleveland Clinic postpones meeting on closing Huron Hospital trauma center

Expected fireworks over the proposed shutdown of Huron Hospital’s Level II Trauma Center have been postponed until Friday.

A Cleveland Clinic delegation was set toexplain the hows and whys of moving trauma operations to a consolidated facility at Hillcrest Hospital in Mayfield Heights.

But the decision has sparked outrage and anger. Some Cleveland councilmen threatened to hold up needed legislation for Clinic building projects unless the decision was reversed.

Clinic CEO Dr. Toby Cosgrove was out of town Wednesday. A council spokesman said Cosgrove will help present the case Friday.

The hearing continued with officials and groups talking about the potential impact of the trauma center closing.

EMS Commissioner Ed Eckart repeated findings that EMS response times would increase on all 911 calls.

East Cleveland Mayor Gary Norton talked about likely problems that would occur by removing the facility frominner city neighborhoods where trauma happens.

One new voice, EMS Paramedic Union President Stephen Palek, predicted closing the trauma center would create big problems.

EMS has reduced its staff by almost 100 people over the last three years.

“I believe we’re looking at a meltdown, a critical meltdown of Emergency Medical Service. It’s scary as hell,” Palek said.

Clinic Director of Government Relations Marty McGann sat silently in the back of the hearing room, taking notes.