Southbridge

A nurse was stabbed by a patient while working at at Harrington Hospital in Southbridge earlier this month, the latest in a string of attacks of healthcare workers while on the job.

UMass Memorial Health Care will convert roughly half of its psychiatric beds for medical/surgical use after it received approval from the state public health council on Wednesday for a $30-million renovation plan.

After a nurse was attacked on Wednesday while on the job at at Harrington Hospital in Southbridge, the state nursing association called for more aggressive safety measures to protect workers at hospitals statewide.

Harrington HealthCare System has hired Jessica Calcidise as its next vice president of nursing and ancillary operations.

Harrington HealthCare System in Southbridge has appointed Michal Frejka as vice president and chief operating officer of Harrington Physician Services.

Harrington HealthCare System plans to close its Family Birthing Center in Southbridge for financial reasons, but expectant mothers will still be able get pre- and post-natal care in its service area.

Responding to concerns from the state about access to inpatient psychiatric care in Central Massachusetts, UMass Memorial Health Care announced a formal partnership with Harrington HealthCare in Southbridge.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health said UMass Memorial Health Care should reconsider its plans to close the beds June 1.

UMass Memorial Health Care says it will be able to meet the region's behavioral health needs, with the help of area hospitals, if it is allowed to close 13 psychiatric beds at its University Campus.

SpencerBANK and Southbridge Savings Bank have taken the merger of their holding companies one step further. Last month, the banks announced they would merge as one institution and rebrand as Cornerstone Bank.