Union blasts decision by Allina Health to close four medical clinics

Union officials reacted with alarm as Allina Health announced it would close three suburban medical clinics plus one on Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis.

The Minneapolis-based health system said the closures are driven by efficiency concerns, since Allina has underutilized space across its network of more than 60 primary care clinics. Unionized doctors at Allina blasted the decision, saying some patients will struggle to find care elsewhere.

The closures are scheduled for Nov. 1 at the Nicollet Mall location plus at clinics in the east metro suburbs Inver Grove Heights, Maplewood and Oakdale. Robbinsdale-based North Memorial announced plans in June to close its clinic on Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis this summer.

Allina says patient preferences are evolving beyond brick-and-mortar clinics. The health system’s statement also cited financial challenges that are hitting other nonprofit hospital operators, as well.

“We will help patients transition their care, ensuring the change is as seamless as possible, and will be contacting patients with provider availability, new clinic locations and additional updates,” Allina said in a statement to the Minnesota Star Tribune.

Doctors Council SEIU, which represents about 650 primary care and urgent care physicians, pointed to service pullbacks by Allina in recent years across its Mercy Hospital campuses in Anoka and some services at hospitals in Cambridge and Hastings.

“By closing clinics, Allina is again choosing to cut off access to care for patients,” the group said Thursday in a statement.

Allina questioned the figures, however, and disputed the idea of disruption, considering the nearby supply of alternate health care providers with room for patients.

“Decisions to close a clinic are not taken lightly,” Allina said in a statement. “We carefully consider community access and proximity to other Allina Health clinic locations.”

Allina says the closures will impact no more than 150 workers. Employees will receive transition resources, and can apply for other positions.

In addition to clinics in Minnesota and western Wisconsin, Allina runs Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis and United Hospital in St. Paul.

It ranks eighth in size among all Minnesota employers, with an in-state workforce exceeding 21,000.