SPRINGFIELD, Vt. — Springfield Hospital announces plans for the closure of its childbirth center sooner than earlier planned. The closure will be effective May 3.
Hospital staff members have contacted all expectant mothers to inform them of the situation in detail, while helping families make other arrangements for their prenatal care and to plan for their eventual childbirth experience. The hospital hosted a meet-and-greet event with other area hospitals and health care providers present to meet expectant families, discuss options, and make arrangements for medical records transfers.
In consideration of the progress made in helping women make childbirth arrangements, and with concerns about adequate personnel to continue to safely staff the childbirth unit, Springfield Hospital will close its Childbirth Center effective May 3.
In cases of the emergency, rather than as a first option, Springfield Hospital’s emergency department will be staffed to handle childbirth cases that must happen there, as a last resort. “The emergency department is prepared to manage all emergencies including those of pregnant patients,” said Emergency Director Guy Nuki, M.D. “However, like many other smaller hospitals, the ED does not have the specialized equipment nor the specialized obstetric nurses and clinicians. We encourage all pregnant patients to create a plan with their obstetrics provider for seeking care when in labor, but also to feel comfortable that, in an emergency, we are prepared.”
The hospital encourages pregnant women to seek ongoing maternal/child care with an obstetric/pediatric team for the healthy development and safety of mother and child. As an option, Brattleboro OB/GYN is making plans to open an office in Springfield that offers a convenient location for women to receive ongoing prenatal care, and they will help mothers arrange to deliver their baby at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. Also, the Women’s Health Center of Springfield will continue to provide gynecology services for the region and can be reached for appointments at 802-886-3556.
Patients with additional questions regarding current or planned obstetric services, please contact Lyndsy McIntyre, Chief of Patient Care Services, at 802-885-7129 or email [email protected].
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