FAIRMONT — Mayo Clinic Health System announced Thursday it will discontinue Lutz Wing Nursing Home operations in Fairmont. No exact date of closure has been set, but hospital leaders expect it will occur by Dec. 1.

“The decision to discontinue operations of Lutz Wing is the result of a thorough evaluation of long-term skilled nursing care options in the Fairmont region and how Mayo Clinic can best serve our patients,” said Dr. Marie Morris, medical director at Mayo in Fairmont. “We’re fortunate to have a wonderful skilled nursing facility in Fairmont, Lakeview Methodist Health Care Center, and six additional facilities within 30 miles.”

Lutz Wing Nursing Home has been open for 40 years, with Mayo operating the facility about half of that time. Currently, Lutz Wing has 24 residents.

While Mayo’s announcement came as a surprise, the decision to close the nursing home wing at the hospital has been under consideration for a while, and talks to facilitate the transition have been ongoing on several fronts.

Mayo Clinic Health System made the decision to step away from nursing home operations after consulting with community officials and collaborating with Lakeview leadership. Mayo has secured the necessary approvals and support from its community board of directors, county social services, the Minnesota Department of Human Services and the Minnesota Department of Health to move forward with its plans. In addition, Mayo leaders have conducted meetings with community officials and state legislators to solicit input and guidance through the process.

Mayo will continue to provide rehabilitation services and medical coverage to area nursing home residents, as well as swing bed care in its facility.

“Mayo Clinic Health System’s core competencies involve caring for patients in clinical, hospital and emergency settings,” said Dr. James Hebl, regional vice president of Mayo Clinic Health System. “Our nursing home partners in the Fairmont area excel in caring for individuals with specialized long-term needs. The collective goal is to make sure patients and residents are receiving expert care in the appropriate setting.”

Lakeview officials have been collaborating with Mayo to offer consultation and facilitate resident transitions for those who choose to relocate to Lakeview, which provides both short- and long-term skilled nursing care.

“Lakeview enjoys a deep, collaborative relationships with Mayo Clinic Health System in Fairmont, with Dr. Jeffrey Green as our medical director and Adria Whiting as our on-site nurse practitioner,” said Deb Barnes, administrator at Lakeview Methodist Health Care Center. “We are partners in a very successful pilot project for residents with congestive heart failure, and Fairmont hospital is the provider of choice when our residents need acute care. Our hope is that this decision to centralize specialties and long-term care in Fairmont leads to an even stronger partnership and unmatched service for this community.”

“We’re partnering with current Lutz Wing residents, family members and staff over the next few months to ensure a smooth transition,” Morris said.

No specific use has been determined for the vacated Lutz Wing space, but medical center leaders said the growing oncology and infusion therapy practice is considered a possible fit.