(Burrillville, RI) -- Two Rhode Island lawmakers are calling for the immediate dismissal of the state hospital's chief of medical services over an ongoing crisis of care. Republican state Representative David Place says Dr. Andrew Stone undermined the director of the state agency that runs the hospital, who herself resigned this week, by ordering the removal of patients from the Eleanor Slater Hospital location in Burrillville. Senate Minority Whip Jessica de la Cruz says the situation at the Zambarano unit has deteriorated to the point where the action is needed, citing poor patient treatment and a toxic culture. The legislators have been working to prevent the closure of the hospital, which they say provides desperately-needed care that is not available elsewhere in the state.
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