Harrington to close 85-year-old Southbridge birthing center
Courtesy/Harrington HealthCare
Harrington HealthCare System plans to close its Family Birthing Center.
Harrington HealthCare System plans to close its Family Birthing Center in Southbridge for financial reasons, but expectant mothers will still be able get pre- and post-natal care in its service area.
The Southbridge-based nonprofit cited staffing difficulties, low birth volume, and the $3-$4 million cost of staffing the underutilized unit as contributing factors to the decision, which was formalized by Harrington’s board of directors on Friday. A total of 39 people in administrative and non-physician clinical positions will be impacted, according to a Wednesday announcement.
Patients will still be able to receive pre- and post-natal care at Harrington, including preventative care, through a new partnership with UMass Memorial Medical Center. UMass Memorial will take on three Harrington OB/GYNs as employees at two co-branded satellite offices in Southbridge and Charlton. When it’s time for delivery, patients will be able to go to the Maternity Center at UMass Memorial.
Harrington’s birthing center has operated since the hospital opened in 1932. It is underutilized because it doesn’t have a neonatal intensive care unit, said Harrington President and CEO Ed Moore said.
“We’ve also seen the effects of the Massachusetts opioid crisis, with an increase in redirection to UMass Memorial of high-risk opioid-affected deliveries,” said Moore.
Harrington reached its delivery peak in 2001 and the numbers have been falling ever since. Last year, the unit performed just 217 deliveries.
“The writing has been on the wall for some time now,” said Moore.
The closure is subject to approval by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
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