Rochester (N.Y.) Regional Health will end developmental and behavioral pediatric services at Riedman Health Center in Irondequoit July 10 following the departure of the physician leading the program, a spokesperson for the health system said in a statement to Becker’s.
Families receiving care through the program were notified this week that the health system was unable to recruit a replacement despite searching for several years, according to a June 16 report from CBS affiliate WROC. The system cited a “critically short supply” of developmental and behavioral health professionals in a letter to families.
According to WROC, patients are being connected with new providers through coordinated handoffs intended to support continuity of care. Existing appointments will remain scheduled during the transition, the report said.
The system said it continues to provide care for more than 58,000 patients across eight pediatric practices. It also operates five school-based health centers in Rochester and a pediatric mental health division serving 3,300 families across clinics and 57 school-based sites in 10 school districts.
One family told WROC they have encountered years-long waitlists at other practices while seeking replacement care, raising concerns about access to services after the program closes.
A spokesperson from the system told Becker’s this is “a small, specialized team that cared for a limited number of patients” and “will not have an impact on RRH’s broader pediatric behavioral health offerings.”
Here is a full statement from the system:
“Rochester Regional Health is transitioning developmental & behavioral pediatrics services at one of our practices following the departure of our developmental pediatrician. Patients currently receiving care are being connected with appropriate providers, with coordinated handoffs to support continuity.
This is a routine transition related to a physician departure. Our priority is to support patients and families with clear guidance throughout the process. Patients with questions about next steps should contact the practice directly.
Rochester Regional Health continues to provide comprehensive pediatric care for more than 58,000 patients across eight pediatric practices, along with additional care through our family medicine practices. We also operate five school-based health centers in the City of Rochester, a school-based telehealth program in partnership with University of Rochester Medicine, and a pediatric mental health division serving 3,300 families across clinics and 57 school-based sites in 10 school districts.”
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