Memorial Hospital in Carthage, Illinois, has discontinued its labor and delivery birthing services. After Dec. 1, birthing services will be transitioned to Blessing Hospital unless the patient chooses to deliver elsewhere.
Birthing services were transferred because the hospital was unable to recruit proper nursing staff and dependency grew on contracted agency nurses. According to the Herald-Whig, the hospital requires labor and delivery nurses to be in-house even if there are no obstetric patients. Employees impacted by the closure could transfer to other positions within the organization.
The hospital still plans to provide pediatric services, prenatal, postpartum and women’s services.
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