Another medical facility is working with Victory Memorial Hospital to get its emergency room off life support.

A state health panel recommended in November 2006 that the hospital's ER close, citing cost-saving measures. Patients who would normally go to the hospital's emergency room would be diverted to Lutheran Medical Center or Maimonides Medical Center.

Councilman Vincent Gentile says East Flatbush's SUNY Downstate Medical Center is in talks with Victory Memorial to keep the ER open for southwest Brooklyn residents. SUNY Downstate is considering shifting some of its ER beds, and subsequently patients, to the facility.

Gentile wants taxpayers to contact the New York State Department of Health and urge it to approve the plan.

Victory's license to run an emergency room expires in the summer of 2008.

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