When Lake Shore Health Care Center in Irving closes Jan. 31, many residents in need of an emergency room will have to drive longer distances for treatment of their medical emergencies, according to a Chautauqua County legislator.

We can measure Lake Shores closing in lost jobs and in peoples lives, said Legislator George Borrello, R-Irving.

Those needing mental health care will have to travel farther, too, but still might struggle to find the help they need.

I am really worried about services that have been provided by the behavioral health unit, said Christine Schuyler, director of the county Department of Health and Human Services.

She said Lake Shores unit has 24 inpatient beds. Another nearby place for inpatient mental health services is at WCA in Jamestown. But patients already fill that facility most of the time, she said.

The residents of the northern area of the county and even Erie County and Cattaraugus County who need mental health services will suffer with the loss of those beds, she said.

Hospital officials announced Lake Shores closing Wednesday, leaving 460 employees without jobs and eliminating one of Chautauqua Countys largest employers.

The facility also has 120 beds for long-term care. The health care center includes an emergency room and a residential program for rehabilitation of womens chemical dependency.

Many people are dependent on the facility, including those in the Seneca Nation, Borrello said.

Patients at Lake Shore at the time of closing will be transferred to Brooks Memorial Hospital in Dunkirk, and those in the program for long-term care will be relocated to other facilities with skilled-nursing services.

More:

Closing of Lake Shore Health Care Center prompts concerns over impact on patients, employees