Less than three years after Baystate Franklin Medical Center acquired the medical offices on Burnham Street in Turners Falls, Baystate plans to consolidate the practice this fall with its offices on Sanderson Street in Greenfield.
The consolidated practice, to be known as the Baystate Health and Wellness Center-Greenfield when reconstruction is fully completed in 2023, will — in addition to primary care — offer specialty care, integrated behavioral health and ancillary health service, according to Baystate Franklin spokesperson Anita Fritz.
“Patients at Baystate Primary Care-Turners Falls will have access to a broader range of services provided less than 10 minutes away in Greenfield as the practice merges in October with Baystate Medical Practices-Greenfield Family Medicine located on 48 Sanderson St.,” Fritz said in a statement.
She noted Greenfield Family Medicine is home to Baystate’s new Family Medicine Residency Program, which started to train its first class of residents in June.
Baystate Franklin acquired the offices on Burnham Street in January 2020, following the retirement of all four primary care physicians and co-owners of the former Connecticut River Internists. When they were unable to recruit replacements, Baystate acquired the practice, allowing it to remain open and ensuring its 8,000 patients at the time would retain their local doctor’s office.
The impending move of the practice, however, has at least one person concerned about what the consolidation means for area residents.
“I have transportation, but there are many people in this town that walk or go by bike,” said Montague resident and disability advocate Betty Tegel, noting it’s the most accessible practice for many people in that part of the county. “I’m really appealing on behalf of the community about the need to keep this office.”
Tegel said the MassHealth transportation program, PT-1, isn’t as reliable as it used to be.
“The drivers aren’t familiar with the region,” she said.
She added that with the closure of the General Pierce Bridge, at least until May 2023, the driving time between Montague and Greenfield has been extended.
“We really need those services over here,” Tegel said.
Tegel said she believes the consolidation of the practices will further limit access to health care in rural areas.
“There are many other doctors that come out from Springfield for satellite offices in Greenfield,” she said. “There’s no excuse why we can’t have a satellite office here in Turners.”
Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne.