Springfield Shriners gets reprieve

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - There is cautious optimism at the Shriners Hospital for Children in Springfield after delegates to the Shriners National Convention voted to keep all of its hospitals open for the time being.

The Springfield hospital had been on a list of six that were being looked at for possible closing.

At the Springfield hospital, officials told 22News they've cleared one hurdle but until the convention is over Thursday night, a motion could still be brought up to close the hospital.

However, it is very unlikely that the decision to keep the Springfield hospital open will be overturned according to Al Zippen, the Emeritus Chairman of the Board of Governors for the hospital and a delegate to the national convention.

He told 22NEWS that now there will be a fine tuning of how to provide services more efficiently and how to cover expenses.