Following the approval from the New York State Department of Health, Inpatient Labor & Delivery, newborn nursery, and postpartum services at Newark-Wayne Community Hospital were formally suspended on September 3.
Rochester Regional Hospital (RRH), who operates Newark-Wayne, says the decision follows significant staffing challenges that have affected the hospital’s ability to safely sustain inpatient maternity services.
In a statement via their website, RRH says “Our primary motivation for this decision was safety - making sure every delivery is safe for patients and babies. The decision to pursue closure of the birthing center came only after many years of exploring other possible solutions that might allow it to stay open. Unfortunately, staffing challenges and changing community need have made this the best option at this time.”
According to RRH President Michael Rulffes, a total of 37 individual team members were impacted by the closure. Ruffles says some of thoseemployees accepted other positions within Rochester Regional Health. Others chose severance or pursued opportunities outside the system, including roles where they could continue working in Labor and Delivery.
“Every team member’s circumstance and career goals were different, and our focus was on making sure each person received individualized support and understood the options available to them,” Rulffes said in a statement to The Times.
As for what happens to that wing of the facility, Rulffes said “We will be evaluating how the space can best be utilized to meet the evolving healthcare needs of the community in the months ahead.”
RRH notes that outpatient prenatal services will still be available at the Women’s Center - Newark and OB/GYN in Geneva. Patients who were planning to deliver at Newark-Wayne were redirected to Rochester General Hospital or other regional birthing centers.
“Our care teams worked directly with affected pregnant patients to support a safe transition and provide individualized guidance throughout the transition,” Rulffes added.
Since the news first broke earlier this year, local residents have been asking what comes next for the campus, with some fearing the eventual closure of the emergency department and other services.
Rulffes says that as of right now, that’s not on the table.
“We remain committed to providing emergency, inpatient and outpatient services at Newark-Wayne Community Hospital and have no plans or intentions to close the hospital or eliminate additional services. Newark-Wayne plays an important role in providing high-quality care close to home for the communities we serve, and we remain focused on maintaining and strengthening access to those services.”
Moving forward, Rulffes says RRH will continue to “partner closely with county and state leaders to address the unique and evolving healthcare needs of the region.”
“We look forward to building on those partnerships to attract resources and funding, develop collaborative programs and respond to areas of growing community need.”
He also shared the importance of community support when it comes to ensuring a strong future for local healthcare.
“We want community members to know that they often do not need to travel outside Newark to access the care and specialties they need. By continuing to support and utilize the services available locally, the community can help ensure those services remain strong and sustainable for the people who need them today and for generations to come.”
To find out more information on the birthing unit closure and answers to frequently asked questions, visit rochesterregional.org/newark/. The site also has a list of other local facilities as well as resources for expectant mothers here in Wayne County.
