The County of Middlesex announced on July 23 that it will be entering into a partnership with RWJBarnabas Health to manage the Roosevelt Care Centers, the county’s long-term care facilities, to bring the most medically advanced care available to Middlesex County.
“We are very excited to forge this partnership with RWJBarnabas Health, the state’s largest health care provider. It will enable Middlesex County to continue offering access to high quality, long-term care in a cost-effective way, with best-in-class services,” Middlesex County Freeholder Director Ronald G. Rios said in a prepared statement. “This partnership will continue the county’s history of providing cutting-edge services through innovation to remain current and competitive.”
RWJBarnabas Health already provides world-class health care services across Middlesex County communities, including locations in New Brunswick, Carteret, Edison, Metuchen, Monroe, North Brunswick and Old Bridge, according to the statement.
“RWJBarnabas Health has leadership and demonstrated expertise in the field of geriatrics,” Barry H. Ostrowsky, president and chief executive officer of RWJBarnabas Health, said in the statement. “We are eager for the opportunity to expand our existing system geriatrics quality initiatives to the nursing home environment.”
This new partnership will preserve and expand upon the quality of care residents have been receiving at the Roosevelt Care Centers, including a renewed emphasis on more therapeutic activity, and a greater focus on improving care for residents and their families, including residents who do not have families and find themselves living alone in long-term care facilities. Middlesex County is currently one of only four counties still to own and operate long-term care facilities, according to the statement.
“Our members have provided quality, exceptional care to residents at Roosevelt Care Centers for many years,” Linda Kukor of the Communication Workers of America Local 1065, which represents more than 200 caregivers, said in the statement. “This partnership puts together a long-term strategy to ensure Roosevelt continues to serve the community while honoring the union contract and providing job security for our members.”
The agreement is anticipated to be finalized by the end of the year.
