Jameson Hospital Stops Delivering Babies Tonight

NEW CASTLE, Pa. – Jameson Hospital will end patent admissions at its Maternity Care Center as of 11:59 p.m. today, nearly two weeks ahead of its previously announced closure date, the hospital announced Tuesday.

The hospital had announced last month (READ STORY) that it would close the unit Sept. 1, the result of its inability to maintain adequate physician staffing levels with Jameson’s merger with UPMC stalled by the office of the Pennsylvania attorney general. Tonight’s effective date comes “despite every effort to provide adequate care team staffing,” Jameson said. Patients expecting to deliver between tomorrow and Aug. 31 have been contacted and alternate arrangements have been made for labor and delivery service with nearby hospitals.

“Our labor and delivery birthing service is not only valued by our organization and our community — most fittingly, it is loved,” said Doug Danko, president and CEO, Jameson Health System, in the release.

“It will always be remembered and honored as a service that brought lives into our community and life into our world. It is led by talented and caring health care professionals whose purpose is to provide compassionate care. They will always be respected with gratitude for the value they have created for countless families in our community,” he continued.

Jameson’s emergency department physicians and staff continue labor and delivery training for any obstetrical emergencies that should arrive in the hospital’s emergency department.

In addition, gynecological services will continue to be provided within a broad scope of medical and surgical care of female patients of all age ranges. Future growth of gynecological services is expected to include gynecological oncology and other sub-specialized GYN services, the hospital said.

Diagnostics, such as ultrasounds, and laboratory services for prenatal orders will continue to be provided throughout the health system’s diagnostic facilities.

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