WAREHAM – The state Department of Public Health is holding a public hearing tonight regarding Southcoast Hospital Group’s proposed closure of the maternity unit at Tobey Hospital.
Southcoast plans to close Tobey’s maternity unit on December 31 and will instead re-direct patients needing maternity care to St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford.
The proposal has drawn opposition from both current and past patients of the unit, local nurses, elected officials and women’s health advocates.
“We welcome nearly 400 new babies annually, and we have some of the best birth outcomes in the state thanks to our low-intervention philosophy and approach,” said registered nurse Joyce Hyslip-Ikkela. “We also have valuable, longstanding relationships with highly respected obstetricians and midwives in the area. After the closure, where will our patients go for this level of care?”
The hearing will be held at 6pm at the Rosebrook Event Center in Wareham.
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