Platte County Hospital in Wheatland, Wyo., part of Phoenix-based Banner Health, will pause inpatient labor and delivery services, effective Oct. 15.
The hospital said in a Sept. 15 announcement that the pause will affect labor and delivery, well-newborn inpatient care and outpatient prenatal care. A spokesperson told Becker’s there are no job losses resulting from this decision.
The hospital attributed the pause to various “industrywide challenges facing rural hospitals, including declining delivery volumes over several years and provider recruitment challenges.” Hospital administration also emphasized its commitment to recruiting full-time, qualified providers to rebuild a strong, high-quality obstetrical program.
“This is one of the most challenging decisions a small, rural hospital can face,” Platte County Hospital CEO Sandy Dugger said. “This decision is not a reflection of our exceptional obstetric nurses or providers, who provide outstanding care and deeply care for our expectant mothers and newborns.”
The decision comes as U.S. maternity care cuts continue to deepen, with healthcare leaders citing ongoing financial challenges, workforce shortages and declining birth rates as factors in their decisions. Becker’s has covered at least 22 maternity care service closures so far this year.
The hospital added that the Wheatland Banner Health Clinic stopped accepting new obstetrics patients as of Sept. 15, and current patients will be supported in transitioning to providers of their choice.
