Council 'Surprised' by End of Martha Eliot Services

The Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Council is concerned with a health institution’s decision to cut services at major satellite health center in Jackson Square.

Council chair Benjamin Day wrote a letter expressing “surprise and concern” at Boston Children’s Hospital’s January decision to terminate adult services at the Martha Eliot Health Center, which could take effect as early as summer

“It appears that Children’s Hospital came to this decision without consulting the community of patients or even Martha Eliot’s own Advisory Board,” Day wrote on behalf of the council.

The letter, dated March 7 and addressed to Boston Children’s Hospital’s Chief Administrative Officer Dick Argys, states the decision would displace 5,000 adult patients, including over 1,000 Jamaica Plain residents.

The letter asks that: “Boston Children’s Hospital organize community process that will give patients, providers, and affected community members sufficient chance to give feedback on the impact this decision may have on your patient base and on the strategic direction and future of services to be provided by Martha Eliot.”

In lieu of cooperation from the hospital, the council would organize its own meeting, the letter says.