The hospital also will end its pediatric services. A declining demand for these services and a decrease in Medicaid funding spurred the decision to discontinue the services, Herby Voss, the hospital’s director or marketing, told The Southern Illinoisan.
Deliveries at the hospital have decreased by more than 36 percent since 2014, according to a statement from the hospital.
“This was not a decision we reached lightly,” hospital CEO Melisa Adkins said in a news release. “But we are confident it is the right one given that expectant families will still have two options for birthing centers in Southern Illinois.”
The employees affected by the discontinuation of services will be offered other jobs in the organization, the news release states.
Heartland Regional Medical Center officials said the hospital will continue to offer outpatient gynecological services and care for patients who experience medical emergencies, even those related to obstetrics.
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