The US state government of Massachusetts has formally taken control of St Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Brighton, which had been facing closure.

The intervention declared by Governor Maura Healey aims to keep the hospital operational by transitioning its management to a different medical services provider, Boston Medical Center (BMC).

It follows concerns that the hospital's closure would lead to a public health emergency, given the significant number of patients it serves.

The state's intervention comes as part of a broader strategy to secure new operators for seven hospitals previously managed by Steward Health Care in Massachusetts.

Last month, Steward Health Care received permission to use a $30m lifeline from Massachusetts authorities amid its current bankruptcy proceedings.

The healthcare provider had made efforts to sell six medical centres, including St Elizabeth's Medical Center.

Lawrence General Hospital will take over Holy Family's campuses, while Lifespan will manage Morton and St Anne's and BMC will acquire Good Samaritan.

These changes are set to take effect from 1 October.

Governor Healey said: “While Apollo continues to put its greed ahead of the health and wellbeing of the people of Massachusetts, we are taking action to make sure St Elizabeth’s remains open.

“By transferring operations to Boston Medical Center, we will protect access to care for tens of thousands of patients and save thousands of jobs.

“Our administration is committed to ensuring smooth transitions at the five Steward hospitals that we were able to save, and supporting the communities impacted by Steward’s closure of Nashoba Valley Medical Center and Carney Hospital.”

An agreement between BMC and Steward to transfer St Elizabeth's operations was previously hindered when asset management company Apollo rejected BMC's bid for the property.

The intervention by Governor Healey circumvents the roadblock, ensuring the hospital can continue to treat patients.