Henry County Medical Center recently announced that it will suspend obstetric services for the “foreseeable future” beginning in September.
Obstetrics involves providing care to women from the time of conception, throughout their pregnancy, and during the process of childbirth.
Beginning September 1, the Paris Women’s Center, which is run by Henry County Medical Center, will begin offering only gynecologic services, while “also working to expand relationships with neighboring facilities and physicians in order for patients to receive obstetric care.”
The hospital’s CEO, John Tucker, made the recommendation to the Henry County Medical Center Board of Trustees at a board meeting last month, citing “very low volumes” of patients “for the past several months.”
“Despite the great care that Drs. (Pamela) Evans, (Sandra) Boxell, and (Katherine) Whitfield provide their patients at Paris Women’s Center and in our hospital, we have struggled with very low volumes for the past several months,” Tucker stated.
The decision, according to Tucker, was one way to “keep the hospital financially viable.”
“With the financial struggles that have been in place at our organization for the past several years, HCMC is on the verge of financial failure and would not be able to sustain beyond year-end had this difficult decision not been made,” Tucker added.
Many social media users expressed disappointment regarding the suspension of obstetric services at Henry County Medical Center after the hospital shared the news on Facebook.
One Facebook user commented, “This is unbelievable! We have quality OBGYNs, the facility, and women who need the care. What a sad situation for expectant mothers in our area.”
Another user added, “So sad! What about certain individuals who don’t have the means to travel to Jackson for OB care or to deliver their child? Or those who have [TennCare] insurance and won’t be able to get services in Murray, KY! Also for those having to travel an hour or so just for OB appointments and delivery! Hoping there will be a change in this decision!”
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
Photo “A Doctor Speaking with a Pregnant Patient” by CDC.
