Health

MGH adding nearly 100 beds when research facility opens, citing ‘capacity crisis’

The approved addition of 94 inpatient beds will allow beds to stay at MGH instead of relocated to the Ragon Building on Cambridge Street, opening in 2027.

(Erin Clark/Globe Staff)

April 17, 2024

1 minute to read

The state’s Public Health Council approved the addition of nearly 100 Massachusetts General Hospital beds Wednesday, which their hospital group was initially denied back in 2022.

Mass General Brigham said the additional 94 inpatient beds will combat the “capacity crisis” currently faced by emergency departments. The beds will be gradually available as the hospital group’s new Phillip and Susan Ragon Building begins its phased opening in 2027.

Earlier this year, MGH declared a capacity disaster. Inpatient beds and hallway stretchers were overwhelmed on a nearly daily basis for nearly a year and a half, the hospital said.

“The capacity crisis is a national issue and as such is felt across Mass General Brigham,” said Dr. David Brown, the president of academic medical centers with Mass General Brigham. “Today’s decision will allow for much needed inpatient capacity expansion in the Commonwealth and help our expert clinical teams best care for our patients in environments that promote better healing and respects their dignity.”

In 2019, the hospital announced that Phillip “Terry” Ragon and his wife would donate a historic $200 million gift to endow a new vaccine research center, the Boston Globe reported. The Ragon Building, currently under construction on Cambridge Street, will house Mass General oncology and cardiac services.

The state initially denied Mass General Brigham’s request to add more beds in 2022. In that application, the PHC approved the hospital group’s Ragon Building plans, which included relocating hundreds of beds to the new building. With the approval Wednesday, MGH now won’t have to relocate any beds, just add more in the new building starting in 2027.

The hospital group said the approval doesn’t require any funds, construction, or renovation.

Hospitals across Massachusetts are scrambling to combat capacity issues caused by staff shortages, hospital closures, and even a 10-alarm fire that closed Brockton Hospital in 2023.