Carney staff and patients voice concerns at first public meeting [Video]

Hospital employees and patients had the chance to voice their concerns in front of the Department of Public Health during the first public meeting at Florian Hall in Dorchester on Monday night.This is the first of several planned public meetings being held by the Department of Public Health in relation to Steward Healthcare’s planned closing of Carney Hospital in Dorchester and Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer. “I challenge you, I challenge you today to sit there and do something for us,” Carney employee Simone Smith said, eliciting a round of applause from the crowd of hundreds that were in attendance.The Department of Public Health scheduled the meeting as required by the state law governing the closure of essential services.”I’m not just an employee, I’m a patient as well,” Maryanne Murphy said, getting emotional as she spoke. “I’m 20 days post-op surgery and here I am tonight to implore you, …