MetroWest Medical Center negotiates with Tufts Medicine to continue cancer care
FRAMINGHAM – In a reversal of fortune for cancer patients in the Framingham area, Tenet Health, the owner of MetroWest Medical Center in Framingham, is now in negotiations with Tufts Medicine to continue providing current patients with oncology services.
Tenet Health was pushing to end some cancer services at the facility, asking the state to decide if those treatments should be considered essential to the community. The DPH received a 90-day notice in May from the CEO of the medical center, documenting the proposed closure of oncology infusion and radiation oncology services at the Framingham Union campus.
The owners cited declining demand for its cancer services as the reason for the decision.
The medical center planned for its cancer services to be consolidated with sister facility St. Vincent's Hospital in Worcester.
But just before a public hearing Wednesday evening, they announced they're negotiating a new plan with Tufts to continue oncology infusion and radiation services in Framingham.
MetroWest will also continue to provide medical oncology, cancer screening, imaging, and cancer-related surgical procedures.