UPDATED 2:21PM 6/26 – ELMER / MANNINGTON, NJ — According to official emails sent to staff at both Elmer and Salem Medical Centers as well as after communicating with an Inspira Health Spokesperson, Inspira Health has announced plans to close its Intensive Care Units (ICUs) at both Inspira Medical Center Elmer and Inspira Medical Center Mannington after receiving final approval from the State’s Department of Health. The closures are scheduled to take effect on or about Tuesday, June 30, 2026.
In an email sent to hospital staff, Inspira leadership stated that the decision to shift select services in Salem County was made to “better reflect current patient utilization and the evolving care needs of the community.”
“Inspira Health is examining the consolidation of certain services in Salem County, with a focus on areas where patient utilization has already shifted over time,” stated the spokesperson.
Following the June 30, 2026 approximate deadline, patients requiring critical, ICU-level care will be transferred to and supported by other 24/7 facilities within the broader Inspira Health system, such as those in Vineland or Mullica Hill.
Hospital leadership emphasized that neither the Elmer nor Mannington facility is shutting down entirely. Emergency rooms, primary care, and general non-ICU hospital services will remain fully operational.
“This decision was not made lightly,” stated CEO Amy B. Mansue and President/COO Warren Moore in the joint staff memo. “It reflects our responsibility to align resources with current patient needs while continuing to preserve access to high-quality care.”
“As part of the proposed service adjustments, patients who require ICU-level care would be supported at other Inspira locations that are fully equipped to provide comprehensive, 24/7 critical care services. Access to essential care—including non-ICU hospital services, emergency care, primary care, and behavioral health—will continue to be available in Salem County,” stated an Inspira Health Spokesperson
Regarding the impact on hospital personnel: “Each of the 34 impacted team members is receiving support to identify another role within Inspira, with the goal of retaining every affected employee,” explained an Inspira Health Spokesperson.
Leadership stated that those individuals have already been contacted and that the organization’s goal is to retain as many impacted staff members within the Inspira system as possible according to internal email/s.
“We remain deeply committed to Salem County and to strengthening local services in ways that reflect the evolving health needs of the community. This proposal is part of our broader effort to ensure our resources are aligned to support sustainable, high-quality care across the Inspira system.” – Inspira Health Spokesperson
Some of the questions we had wanted to ask the organization are:
- What are the expected transit times? How long will it take to transport a critical patient from Salem County to the nearest available Inspira ICU, and how will that delay affect patient outcomes?
- Will local EMS be strained? Will transferring these critical patients out-of-county tie up local Salem County ambulances and EMS personnel for longer periods?
- What does the data show? Can Inspira share the specific daily census and utilization numbers that led to the conclusion that these ICUs are no longer sustainable?
- How will this affect other procedures? Without an on-site ICU safety net, will Elmer and Mannington have to reduce the types of high-risk surgeries or procedures they can safely perform?
- Was the community consulted? Did Inspira conduct a healthcare disparity or community impact study prior to making this decision, given Salem County’s rural and aging population?
As soon as any additional details are provided or we hear back from Inspira we will update the article.
How does this affect you and your family’s usage of our local medical centers located within the county?
The News of Salem County staff reached out to the Public Relations Department at Inspira and have not received an answer nor call back as of 10:45am 6/26/2026.
At 12:45pm on June 26, NOSC staff spoke to an official from Inspira and at 1:52pm received official word from an Inspira Health spokesperson via email.
Here is the PDF of Inspira’s Community Health Needs Assessment 2025-2027 – Salem County
They need to be putting more things in our two Hospitals instead of taking every thing out. We need a better Hospital where all of the locals can go for every thing. That’s what people want and need here! Not only a few things working there. That’s why they feel they have to go to other places. Because we need a fully functional Hospital people can go to for every thing.
And know once again we’ll be taken care of no matter what the needs are.
What has happened over the years that our own hospitals are Dying!!
Help us have what we really need here again only better now. Please stop this madness.