Taunton Police officer stabbed multiple times, Chief Walsh among 4 others injured
By Tammy Mutasa
/ CBS Boston
TAUNTON - Five Taunton police officers, including the police chief, were injured by a knife-wielding suspect Tuesday night. One officer suffered serious slash wounds to the face and back of his head and was taken by Medflight to a Boston hospital. At about 6:45 p.m., Taunton police had pulled over a vehicle on County Street. Police say the initial driver they stopped was cooperative, but a second driver approached the officers in a Honda Accord and began to get aggressive. The officers told him to leave. A short time later, another officer attempted to stop the Accord for driving erratically. The driver fled the scene and allegedly attempted to strike an officer. The car crashed into a home on West Britannia Street and the suspect ran inside. Officers followed the suspect inside the house, and he allegedly pulled out a knife and began waving it, slashing two officers. Police said the suspect lived at the house. CBS Boston
"The officers pursued the suspect into the house at which point the suspect took a knife and stabbed one of my officers several times," Taunton Police Chief Ed Walsh said. Chief Walsh, who lives nearby, responded to the home. The suspect also allegedly swung the knife at Walsh, "resulting in a puncture wound to the Chief's torso," Taunton Police said in a statement. Chief Walsh used his Taser on the suspect, who was arrested. Walsh was treated and released at Morton Hospital and returned to the scene to provide an update to the media. Walsh did not mention that he was injured in the incident. Three other officers were taken to Morton Hospital to be treated for injuries sustained during the arrest of the suspect. "A lot of the officers were shaken up by this, especially based on the injuries they saw of their coworkers," Walsh said. "So we're trying to deal with that right now, their mental health as well." The suspect, who is known to police, is facing a number of felony charges. His name has not been released. "When our police officers are injured and hurt that affects the whole entire department, it affects this whole entire community, and we stand by our law enforcement officers," Taunton Mayor Shaunna O'Connell said. "They did an excellent job tonight. We are grateful for their service to this community, for their sacrifice to this community, and our thoughts and prayers are with them and their families at this time." Police said there is no danger to the community. The investigation remains ongoing. Trending News

Taunton Police officer stabbed multiple times, chief among 4 others injured

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Local Officials, nurses and community advocates to testify in strong opposition to the closure of what DPH in 2021 already deemed essential to the region
The proposed closure comes as local hospital emergency departments are already overburdened with patients waiting for addiction treatment beds
BOSTON, May 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Department of Public Health will hold a legally required public hearing on the proposed closure of the 32-bed MORCAP (Morton Comprehensive Addiction Program), located at Steward Morton Hospital in Taunton. A number of public officials, nurses and community advocates are expected to testify in strong opposition to the closure as they claim it will only add to a growing crisis in the region, as local hospital emergency departments are already overburdened with patients waiting for addiction treatment beds and services. What: The Department of Public Health, as required by law, will conduct a virtual public hearing on the closure of the service via telephone. Members of the public and other interested parties may join the hearing by phone by calling: 888-390-5007 Passcode: 8688080
When: Thursday, May 18, 2023 from 6 – 9 p.m. The MORCAP facility provides desperately needed alcohol/substance abuse detox and recovery services to the people of Southeastern Massachusetts. The service was previously called the NORCAP Lodge and located in Foxboro, where it was affiliated with Steward Good Samaritan Medical Center. In 2021, Steward initiated its closing, but later decided to move the service to Morton Hospital in Taunton. In response to the initial closure proposal, the DPH had deemed it an essential service to the region to preserve the public health in the community. Advocates contend it remains an essential service for the region. In pursuing the closing, Steward has floated a plan to replace the service by opening beds at Carney Hospital in Dorchester. "We intend to express strong opposition to the closing of this service as we believe it will only add to an already growing crisis for residents of this region, a region which has desperate need for the services this program provides," said Katie Murphy, RN, President of the Massachusetts Nurses Association, which represents the nurses who work at Morton Hospital and the MORCAP unit. "We oppose its closing because it will only add to the unprecedented process of patients with substance abuse and behavioral health issues boarding in this region's hospital emergency departments and because we believe it is ludicrous for anyone to claim that it is appropriate to close a service for a population of patients in Taunton and Brockton to potentially access that service in Dorchester." MNA Calls for Greater State Scrutiny and Oversight of Hospital Service Closures
This closing is the latest in a line of service closures by hospital systems in recent years, including the loss of behavior health beds, maternity, pediatric, oncology and other services; services in most every case the DPH has deemed to be essential to those communities. Yet DPH lacks the authority to stop such closures and in nearly every case, the providers closed those services. In response to this dangerous trend, the MNA has filed two pieces of legislation that would provide communities and officials with more data and more power to protect needed services. An Act Relative to the Closing of Hospital Essential Services will:
Extend the official notice period to the DPH in advance of a closure or discontinuation of health services. Require any hospital proposing closure or discontinuation of health services to provide evidence of having notified and provided the opportunity for comment from affected municipalities before the notification period begins. Instruct the Attorney General to seek an injunction to maintain the essential services for the duration of the notice period. Prohibit the hospital from eligibility for an application for licensure or expansion for a period of three years from the date the service is discontinued, or until the essential health service is restored, or until such time as the DPH is satisfied with a modified plan. Prohibit the closure of beds, units, or facilities during any declared state of emergency pertaining to health care. The Hospital Essential Service Accessibility Act will:
Require the Department of Public Health in consultation with the Health Policy Commission to commission a study analyzing and delineating the existing cadre of services provided by the state's acute care medical and psychiatric hospitals based on the need for those services in all regions of the Commonwealth, with recommendations as how to ensure access to those services. "By allowing these closures, our public health system demonstrates to already vulnerable and marginalized groups that their interests do not matter," Murphy said. "The Commonwealth must put patient and community needs at the forefront of this decision-making process. Founded in 1903, the Massachusetts Nurses Association is the largest union of registered nurses in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Its 25,000 members advance the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the economic and general welfare of nurses in the workplace, projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and by lobbying the Legislature and regulatory agencies on healthcare issues affecting nurses and the public. SOURCE Massachusetts Nurses Association

MNA: DPH to Hold Public Hearing (May 18th at 6 p.m.) on Proposed Closure of 32-Bed Substance Abuse Treatment Unit At Steward Morton Hospital in Taunton

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TAUNTON, Mass., June 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The nearly 400 registered nurses and healthcare professionals (HCPs) at Steward Morton Hospital in Taunton, who are represented by the Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA), cast an overwhelming vote yesterday to ratify a new three-year contract that includes significant wage hikes and other improvements that the union believes is key to stemming an exodus of staff to higher paying hospitals outside the community, as well as to ensuring the staff's ability to deliver quality patient care. Following months of contentious talks, the agreement came together after the nurses took an equally overwhelming vote to authorize a strike if necessary back on May 11th. "This contract is a testament to the unity of our nurses and health professionals, who made it clear to management that we were ready to do whatever it takes, up to and including a strike, to achieve what we needed to recruit and retain the dedicated and talented staff that make this hospital run," said Jacqui Fitts, RN and chairperson of the MNA local bargaining unit at Morton. "We are pleased that our administration heeded our concerns and decided to work with us to reach a settlement we all can be proud of."  
Agreement Highlights
Wages: Most staff will see across the board wage increases totaling 11 percent over the life of the agreement or 15 percent for the most senior staff members, including 5 percent in the 2022, 3 percent in 2023 (except that the most senior staff will receive 7 percent increases) and another 3 percent in 2024. It also includes higher increases for pharmacists and salary adjustments for social workers that will see those professionals' pay increase between 17 – 20 percent (as they have been paid below market rates for years). The pact also includes significant increases in differentials, including $10 per hour for nurses picking up extra premium shifts on nights, weekends and holidays. Staffing and Working Conditions: a major concern for the negotiations was the need to develop staffing standards for the MORCAP substance abuse treatment program, where the nurses were able to include contractually guaranteed staffing levels. Another issue was the need to reduce the floating of intensive care unit nurses off of their unit to deliver care to other understaffed units, resulting in a long pattern of ICU RN resignations and difficulty recruiting to the unit This was a addressed by negotiating a new $7 per hour differential for nurses who want to join a hospital-wide float pool, which will provide greater flexibility in meeting patient needs throughout the hospital, while allowing ICU nurses and others to focus on providing care in their own areas of expertise. In addition, the contract includes improvements to nurses' vacation time benefit, and provides more flexibility for per diem nurses to work their required monthly hours to help retain this valuable adjunct to the core staffing plan. The unionized staff also wanted to express their appreciation for the strong support they received throughout the process from state and local political officials, other labor unions and members of the community who attended a rally last April and advocated on their behalf throughout this process. "From the outset, this was a struggle not only for the caregivers at Morton Hospital, but for the community we serve, as they are the ones who suffer when we don't have the local staff available to deliver the care they need when they need it," said Cheryl Dutra, RPh and vice chairperson of the bargaining unit. "The support of the community at our rally and on other occasions throughout the process was key to our success." Founded in 1903, the Massachusetts Nurses Association is the largest union of registered nurses in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Its 25,000 members advance the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the economic and general welfare of nurses in the workplace, projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and by lobbying the Legislature and regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public. SOURCE Massachusetts Nurses Association

08:14 EDT
Steward Morton Hospital RNs and Health Professionals Cast Overwhelming Vote to Ratify New Three-Year Contract with Sig...

Kelly Gooch -
Thursday, June 30th, 2022
The union represents nearly 400 registered nurses and healthcare professionals at the hospital. Union members voted to ratify the new contract, which includes wage hikes and addresses issues that include staffing and working conditions. The agreement came after months of negotiations and after workers in May voted to authorize a strike if necessary. "This contract is a testament to the unity of our nurses and health professionals, who made it clear to management that we were ready to do whatever it takes, up to and including a strike, to achieve what we needed to recruit and retain the dedicated and talented staff that make this hospital run," Jacqui Fitts, RN, chairperson of the MNA local bargaining unit at Morton, said in a June 30 news release. "We are pleased that our administration heeded our concerns and decided to work with us to reach a settlement we all can be proud of." According to the union, highlights of the agreement include across-the-board wage increases for most staff totaling 11 percent during the duration of the contract or 15 percent for the most senior staff members. The contract also includes a new $7-per-hour differential for nurses who seek to be part of a hospitalwide float pool, as well as improvements to nurses' vacation time benefit, the union said. In a statement shared with Becker's, Morton Hospital President Heidi Taylor said: "Morton Hospital deeply values our nursing staff's contributions to both our hospital and the communities we serve, and this newly ratified contract reflects our joint commitment to providing our patients with high-quality care in the local community. We're proud to have worked together collaboratively to reach this agreement and are glad to see it accepted by our nurses. Going forward, Morton Hospital and our talented nurses will continue to serve the Greater Taunton community and beyond with the excellence and dedication our patients expect from us."

Steward Morton Hospital workers OK labor deal

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Safety, Security, Length on Contract, and Need for Good-Faith Bargaining Drive Vote
TAUNTON, Mass., May 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The nearly 400 registered nurses and healthcare professionals (HCPs) at Steward Morton Hospital in Taunton, who are represented by the Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA) and who are currently in contract talks with hospital management, cast an overwhelming "yes" vote yesterday authorizing their local union leaders to call a three-day strike should hospital management continue to refuse to bargain over issues that currently affect their ability to deliver the best possible care to patients. Bogged down in sluggish contract talks since October 2021 due to management's refusal to negotiate in good faith, the RNs and HCPs voted on May 11. The secret-ballot vote was held outside of the hospital in the MNA's mobile/RV unit between the hours of 6 a.m. and 8 p.m., as well as at the Northwoods Medical Center location. Despite the fact that the contract was set to expire on October 31, 2021, hospital executives refused requests that the MNA members made beginning in the Spring of 2021 to begin bargaining, agreeing to begin just a few weeks before the expiration. The vote follows the April 26th filing of federal unfair labor practice charges by the MNA, on behalf of its Morton members, against Steward Morton Hospital. The charges state that "the Employer has bargained in bad faith over several mandatory subjects of bargaining including … the opening of the MORCAP [substance abuse treatment] unit; safety and security; and the effects of the departure of the Compass Medical Group on the terms and conditions of employment for bargaining unit [members]." Steward's decision to cease making pension contributions is also referenced in the charge. With no explanation they have not made any contributions into the MNA members' pension plan since the last pay period of 2021. The executives have also categorically refused to discuss proposals to protect staff's physical safety in the workplace amidst an increase in violence, worsened by social stresses of the pandemic, as well as the region's growing substance abuse crisis and worsening shortage of psychiatric treatment facilities. In April the MNA asked for the assistance of a mediator from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service in the hopes of moving the process forward. In January, the nurses and HCPs held a highly successful public rally that drew considerable public attention to the fact that Morton, a vitally essential community hospital, was in the dire position of being understaffed as many local caregivers were leaving Taunton to work at other area hospitals — including those in Boston. Since then, Morton's RNs and HCPs have been asking hospital executives to do everything possible to "keep healthcare professionals local" by providing the resources, wages and benefits they deserve and that are needed to retain to recruit staff." That request has fallen on deaf ears, however, and the improvements needed to keep staff in Taunton have slipped further away. Currently, there are more than 57 vacancies in nursing and more than 150 vacancies for other valuable healthcare professionals. At the same time, Steward is paying exorbitant sums for  national "travel nurses" who are temporarily filling some vacancies instead of investing those resources in market competitive wage improvements that could help stabilize the exodus of local community healthcare workers who are deciding to work elsewhere. Safety, Security, Length on Contract, and Need for Good-Faith Bargaining Also Drive Strike Authorization Vote
Numerous other issues also led to members' overwhelming "yes" vote to authorize a possible three-day strike. Those include:
Need for Improved Safety and Security. Long before the pandemic began, Taunton was grappling with a dramatic increase in addiction, homelessness, and the issues that accompany both. But the pandemic pushed many residents in the city and surrounding communities to their mental and emotional breaking points, and no better place can this be seen than inside the walls of Morton Hospital. In fact, last September a staffer was stabbed multiple times outside the hospital by a patient suffering from a mental illness. The ED is generally beyond full capacity, with many patients waiting extended periods of time for mental-health and addiction-recovery beds/resources. As patients and their families wait endlessly for beds and resources, emotions run high and stress bubbles over. "As part of contract talks, we have asked that the hospital hire additional security guards," said Jacqui Fitts, RN and chairperson of the MNA bargaining unit at Morton. "We have also proposed, among other things, improving lighting outside where patients and staff need to walk and park. These are very basic improvements that will go a long way in keeping patients and staff safe. Yet, management is outright refusing to discuss safety and security with us. It is a literal non-starter for them." Fitts also pointed out that Morton's pediatric ED patients are especially vulnerable, despite promises Steward made years ago when it shuttered Morton's in-patient pediatric unit. "More than a decade ago, when Steward closed our pediatric unit, we were told that children would never co-mingle with adult patients in the ED … that there would be distinct space and staff for pediatric ED patients. That was an empty promise, and now our youngest patients languish in our ED alongside adult patients. What they witness in there is awful. The least Steward management can do is provide better safety and security for these young, vulnerable patients." A Contract of Reasonable Duration. Morton management is insisting on a five-year contract agreement, which — given how quickly the landscape changes in the healthcare sector — MNA members at Morton know is an unwise and unreasonable timeframe. "Healthcare is increasingly competitive. We must be able to renegotiate sooner than five years from now," said Cheryl Dutra, RPh and vice chairperson of the bargaining unit. "We cannot risk losing staff to other hospitals, which will gain a competitive edge over five years while we're locked out of renegotiating contract enhancements. That would cost us valuable experienced staff." Need to Negotiate Safe Staffing in the New "MORCAP" Unit. Morton's recently opened "MORCAP unit," a 32-Bed, level-4 substance use disorders treatment unit, is a vitally important resource for the greater Southcoast community, but "it needs to be safely and appropriately staffed if it is to succeed" said Jen Roderiques, RN and Vice-Chair of the MNA bargaining unit. "Management refuses to negotiate with us regrading the staffing of this unit … even though staffing it incorrectly will lead to its failure. We cannot afford that risk; negotiating the staffing of the MORCAP unit is essential." In addition:
Steward is refusing to negotiate over the effects of its recent disaffiliation from Compass Medical Group, a move that has left hundreds of staff and dependents without access to primary care physicians and specialists. And Steward, since the last pay period of 2021, has failed to make payments into the members' pension plan … an issue that must be immediately, and retroactively, resolved. Next Steps
The strike authorization vote does not mean the nurses and HCPs will strike immediately. It gives the Morton/MNA negotiating committee the authorization to call a three-day strike if/when they feel it is necessary. If the committee issues its official notice to strike, the hospital will then have a 10-day notification period required by law before the members go out on strike. "With this vote yesterday, the Morton RNs and HCPs made things clear," said Fitts. "We are taking a stand for our patients and for this community. There is no reason for the hospital to refuse to negotiate over such basic and essential improvements. Management may think they are playing hardball, but they really are not listening to the people they count on. Ultimately, management's decisions and their approach at the bargaining table will hurt a community that was already struggling. We see through them, and the community does too. It is time for management to do the right thing and to negotiate in good faith." SOURCE Massachusetts Nurses Association

09:04 EDT
Nurses and Healthcare Professionals at Morton Hospital Cast Overwhelming Vote to Authorize a Three-Day Strike Followin...

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts is a not-for-profit health plan operating in the healthcare industry. The company offers health insurance plans and related services, including medical claims processing, insurance coverage, benefits management, and telehealth services. It primarily serves individuals and businesses in the healthcare sector. It was founded in 1937 and is based in Boston, Massachusetts.

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Morton Hospital Designated as a Blue Distinction® Center+ for Knee and Hip Replacement : Morton Hospital
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts has selected Morton Hospital as a Blue Distinction Center+ for Knee and Hip Replacement, part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program.

Steward Health Care is a physician-led, minority-owned, integrated health care system operating in the healthcare industry. The company provides a range of services including preventive care, community health programs, and medical treatments. It primarily serves the healthcare sector. Steward Health Care was formerly known as Caritas Christi Health Care. It was founded in 2010 and is based in Dallas, Texas.

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Morton Hospital is community hospital that provides comprehensive health care services including emergency care, wound care, state-of-the-art imaging services. It is based in Taunton, Massachusetts.

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