Emergency room in Jersey City will remain open for two weeks

Heights University Hospital’s emergency room will stay open for two more weeks after local talks, and officials say further operations depend on state assistance and ongoing negotiations.

Heights University Hospital, formerly Christ Hospital, had planned to close its emergency room this weekend. After talks with Jersey City officials, the hospital and the emergency room operator agreed to keep the ER open for two more weeks. City leaders and hospital representatives say discussions will continue about longer-term funding and access to care. Key details: - The hospital operator had notified the nurses’ union that the emergency room would close Saturday, and the closure was later postponed by two weeks. - Christ Hospital closed last November and laid off about 150 employees; the union represents roughly 45 nurses who had been working in the ER. - The hospital’s chairman agreed to cover $1 million to keep the ER open for the two-week period, and hospital spokespeople said the facility lost millions last year. - Jersey City Mayor James Solomon called the extension "progress" but said it is not acceptable as a long-term solution and that talks with the hospital and the state will continue. Summary: The two-week extension preserves local emergency services for a short period while city and hospital officials pursue additional options. Officials say further continuation of ER operations depends on state assistance, and the status beyond the two-week window is undetermined at this time.