Suburban Community Hospital in East Norriton is undergoing a major transition, writes Harold Brubaker for the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Beginning July 1, the facility will become a behavioral health hospital focused on adults aged 55 and older, Prime Healthcare Foundation announced.
The change marks a shift from Suburban’s current role as a micro-hospital offering emergency and diagnostic services. Its prior 15-bed psychiatric unit, suspended last year, will now be reimagined as part of a new 15-bed geriatric behavioral health program.
The hospital has seen a dramatic drop in patient volume—from an average of 23 patients per day in 2023 to just eight this year—prompting Prime’s decision to scale back. Moving forward, Suburban will operate under the license of Roxborough Memorial Hospital, another Prime facility.
Of Suburban’s 126 licensed beds, only 15 will remain in use. Thirty-seven full-time employees will stay on, while the rest—approximately 109 staffers including part-time and per-diem workers—have been offered comparable positions at Roxborough, Lower Bucks Hospital, and other Prime sites.
Medical residency programs will finish out the academic year at Suburban before relocating to Roxborough. Independent practices including Fox Chase Cancer Center and Suburban Family Medicine will continue operating on site.
To learn more about what’s next for Suburban Community Hospital and its role in Montco’s healthcare landscape, visit the Philadelphia Inquirer.
