Orlando Health's decision to close its Rockledge hospital just months after buying it has sent shockwaves throughout the Central Brevard County area long served by the hospital. "We're very disappointed," said Rockledge Mayor Tom Price, who was fielding many calls from city residents and hospital employees about the Orlando Health announcement that the hospital is closing and will be torn down. "It's a very big deal, because we're losing our hospital. It's not good for Rockledge and it's not good for Cocoa." Orlando Health said it is closing Rockledge Hospital on April 22, saying the 298-bed hospital is in bad physical condition and is too costly to repair. Four local outpatient facilities in Rockledge, Merritt Island and Suntree that have ties to the hospital also will close at that time.
