Birthing center

Massachusetts Nurses Association Statement Regarding Healey-Driscoll Administration Reports on Maternal Child Health Access

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, November 16, 2023
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CANTON, Mass., Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA) is hereby submitting its response to two reports released today by the Healey administration addressing the issue of maternal child health access: one addressing access to labor, delivery and postpartum care statewide; and the other addressing similar issues for Northern Worcester County following the controversial, and widely opposed closure of the Birthing Center at Leominster Hospital, the 11th such closure in the last decade. 

Key Points: 
  • We are encouraged to see recommendations for a thorough review of access in Northern Worcester County, but believe this should be extended to all regions of the state that have lost access to inpatient maternal health services.
  • The MNA has already filed legislation (S.1450/H.2251) that would establish such a process, but the DPH and the administration can implement this process without legislative action right now.
  • The problem of access to maternal child health services is multifaceted, and we agree that increased reimbursement for these services is necessary, and for some providers serving marginalized communities, funding support from the state may be warranted.
  • Founded in 1903, the Massachusetts Nurses Association is the largest union of registered nurses in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Hastily Arranged "Listening Sessions" on Access to Essential Maternity Services by the Healey-Driscoll Administration Scheduled for Tonight and Next Week

Retrieved on: 
Friday, October 20, 2023
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LEOMINSTER, Mass., Oct. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Massachusetts Nurses Association is issuing this statement so that the public is aware of a series of so called "listening sessions" the Governor's office has scheduled for tonight and next week on the issue of access to essential maternal child health services. The notice of all these sessions was just advertised by the state less than 24 hours ago, as we are heading into a weekend with no advertising to the general public, and no concerted outreach to existing community coalitions, advocates or legislators who have been actively involved in efforts to address the loss of 11 maternity programs in recent years, each of which have already been deemed essential by the Department of Public Health to preserving access to maternity services in those communities. The full list of sessions can be found here.

Key Points: 
  • "We are extremely disappointed that the Administration has provided such short notice to participants regarding the Maternal Health Listening Sessions.
  • This is not a process designed to gather substantive feedback," said Katie Murphy, president of the Massachusetts Nurses Association.
  • In each case, the state's Department of Public Health deemed the maternal health services "services are necessary for preserving access and health status within the service area."
  • There are several bills filed with the legislature to address the flawed essential services process:
    We strongly encourage the Healey-Driscoll Administration to look at a comprehensive overhaul of the essential services process with an eye towards preserving services.

Mass. DPH Deems Birthing Center at Leominster Hospital An Essential Service "Necessary for Preserving Access and Health Status Within the Hospital's Service Area."

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
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LEOMINSTER, Mass., Aug. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has issued its findings regarding UMass Memorial Health's controversial plan to close the Birthing Center at Leominster Hospital, deeming the program an essential service "necessary for preserving access and health status within the hospital's service area."  The full DPH letter can be found here.

Key Points: 
  • We now call upon Dr. Dickson, the DPH and the Healey administration to save this service and protect our community."
  • "The Birthing Center at Leominster Hospital is imperative to protect the lives of the hundreds of thousands of residents in North Central Mass.
  • Leominster Hospital, until this year when the Hospital Administration began implementing the closure, was the largest provider of birthing services for North Central Mass families.
  • These were closures that occurred despite the fact that the DPH declared those services essential to preserving the health of those communities.

MNA: Mass. DPH to Hold July 24th Public Hearing to Gather Community/Stakeholder Testimony Regarding the Impact of UMass Memorial Health's Plan to Close the Birthing Center at Leominster Hospital

Retrieved on: 
Friday, July 21, 2023
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LEOMINSTER, Mass, July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Massachusetts Department of Public Health will host a public hearing on Monday July 24th, for community input on a controversial proposal by UMass Memorial Health to close the Birthing Center at Leominster Hospital, which will be held at the Hilton Doubletree Hotel in Leominster at 5:30 p.m.

Key Points: 
  • The Leominster Hospital Birthing Center provides an essential service that must be maintained, including labor, delivery, postpartum and nursery care for families living in communities of Northern Worcester County.
  • "It's going to take all of us working together to convince those in power to reverse their decision and save this service."
  • This is the very population placed most at risk by the proposed closure of the Birthing Center at Leominster Hospital, the only facility serving the two Gateway Cities of Leominster and Fitchburg.
  • These were closures that occurred despite the fact that the DPH declared those services essential to preserving the health of those communities.

North Central Mass Legislative Delegation and Community Advocates to Host Baby Stroller Brigade/Rally on Leominster Town Common to Protest UMass Closure of Birthing Center at Leominster Hospital

Retrieved on: 
Friday, July 14, 2023
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LEOMINSTER, Mass., July 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Calling all past, present, and future Birthing Center parents, kids, families, and friends, The North Central Massachusetts Legislative Delegation in conjunction with the Community United to Save Our Birthing Center campaign and the Massachusetts Nurses Association is hosting a Baby Stroller Brigade/Rally at the historic Leominster Town Common to demonstrate the Gateway Cities' solidarity and support for preserving local access to maternity services at Leominster Hospital.

Key Points: 
  • The Baby Stroller Brigade event is the latest action organized by a growing coalition of concerned residents, area legislators, caregivers and community advocates who oppose a plan by UMass Memorial Health to close the Birthing Center at Leominster Hospital.
  • It follows a well-attended community forum held on June 29 by the Community United to Save Our Birthing Center coalition where community leaders, residents and advocates spoke passionately about the need to preserve this vital service.
  • The Leominster Hospital Birthing Center provides an essential service that must be maintained, including labor, delivery, postpartum and nursery care for families living in communities of Northern Worcester County.
  • This is the very population placed most at risk by the proposed closure of the Birthing Center at Leominster Hospital, the only facility serving the two Gateway Cities of Leominster and Fitchburg.

Due to Inclement Weather for Monday July 10th Baby Stroller Brigade to Save Birthing Center at Leominster Hospital Postponed for July 10th, Moved to July 17th

Retrieved on: 
Monday, July 10, 2023
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LEOMINSTER, Mass., July 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Calling all past, present, and future Birthing Center parents, kids, families, and friends, The North Central Massachusetts Legislative Delegation in conjunction with the Community United to Save Our Birthing Center campaign and the Massachusetts Nurses Association is hosting a Baby Stroller Brigade/Rally at the historic Leominster Town Common to demonstrate the Gateway Cities' solidarity and support for preserving local access to maternity services at Leominster Hospital.

Key Points: 
  • The Baby Stroller Brigade event is the latest action organized by a growing coalition of concerned residents, area legislators, caregivers and community advocates who oppose a plan by UMass Memorial Health to close the Birthing Center at Leominster Hospital.
  • The Leominster Hospital Birthing Center provides an essential service that must be maintained, including labor, delivery, postpartum and nursery care for families living in communities of Northern Worcester County.
  • Mass Memorial has provided DPH with the required notice of its intention to close the service as of Sept. 23, 2023.
  • The hearing has been scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Monday, July 24 at the Hilton Doubletree Hotel in Leominster.

North Central Mass Legislative Delegation and Community Advocates to Host Baby Stroller Brigade/Rally on Leominster Town Common to Protest UMass Closure of Birthing Center at Leominster Hospital

Retrieved on: 
Friday, July 7, 2023
National Nurses United, Travel, Community United KC, Friends, City, Public, Birthing center, Multimedia, Gateway Cities, UMass Memorial Health, Mother, Public health, South-west Corner Marine Park, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, DPH, Hearing, Corner, Health, Rail transport by country, Caregiver, Communications satellite, Nursing, Birth control

LEOMINSTER, Mass., July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Calling all past, present, and future Birthing Center parents, kids, families, and friends, The North Central Massachusetts Legislative Delegation in conjunction with the Community United to Save Our Birthing Center campaign campign and the Massachusetts Nurses Association is hosting a Baby Stroller Brigade/Rally at the historic Leominster Town Common to demonstrate the Gateway Cities' solidarity and support for preserving local access to maternity services at Leominster Hospital.

Key Points: 
  • The Baby Stroller Brigade event is the latest action organized by a growing coalition of concerned residents, area legislators, caregivers and community advocates who oppose a plan by UMass Memorial Health to close the Birthing Center at Leominster Hospital.
  • It follows a well-attended community forum held last Thursday by the Community United to Save Our Birthing Center coalition where community leaders, residents and advocates spoke passionately about the need to preserve this vital service.
  • The Leominster Hospital Birthing Center provides an essential service that must be maintained, including labor, delivery, postpartum and nursery care for families living in communities of Northern Worcester County.
  • The hearing has been scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Monday, July 24 at the Hilton Doubletree Hotel in Leominster.

Massachusetts Nurses Association: June 20 State House Hearing to Examine Hospital Service Closures and Financial Transparency Bills as Healthcare Corporations Try to Shutter Maternity Services in Leominster, Addiction Treatment in Taunton

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, June 15, 2023
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BOSTON, June 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The dangerous trend of hospital corporations choosing profits over safe and accessible patient care will come under scrutiny during a June 20 State House hearing when lawmakers hear from nurses, community members and other advocates about legislation aimed at overhauling the Commonwealth's essential health service closure process.

Key Points: 
  • Who: Nurses, physicians, community members, healthcare advocates and experts will be testifying about closures impacting a variety of communities.
  • The hearing comes amid a healthcare crisis in Massachusetts created by hospital corporations prioritizing financial gain over patient safety and care access for years before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Understaffing is causing nurses to flee the bedside and entire communities such as Leominster and Taunton are threatened by maternity and addiction treatment closures.
  • Since 2009, more than 40 hospitals or units have closed in Massachusetts, according to a review of public records.

MNA: DPH Deems Steward Morton Hospital's 32-Bed Substance Abuse Treat Unit An Essential Service "Necessary for Preserving Access and Health Status Within the Hospital's Service Area."

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, June 7, 2023
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BOSTON, June 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Department of Public Health has issued its findings regarding Steward Healthcare's plan to close the 32-bed MORCAP (Morton Comprehensive Addiction Program), located at Steward Morton Hospital in Taunton, deeming the program an essential service "necessary for preserving access and health status within the hospital's service area. The full DPH letter can be found here.

Key Points: 
  • said Katie Murphy, president of the Massachusetts Nurses Association, which represents the nurses who staff the program.
  • The MNA is not alone in its skepticism about the current process for addressing the loss of essential services.
  • The service was previously called the NORCAP Lodge and located in Foxboro, where it was affiliated with Steward Good Samaritan Medical Center.
  • In response to the NORCAP closure proposal, the DPH had deemed it an essential service to the region to preserve the public health in the community.

Massachusetts Nurses Association Statement In Opposition to Proposed Closing of the Birthing Center at Leominster Hospital by UMass Memorial Health

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, May 30, 2023
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LEOMINSTER, Mass., May 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- UMass Memorial Health, the largest health system in Central Massachusetts, has recently announced its intention to close the Birthing Center located at UMass Memorial HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital's Leominster Campus, a program that serves as the primary maternity program for residents throughout the communities of Greater Leominster and Fitchburg.

Key Points: 
  • I hate to think of what will happen to these folks if they are allowed to close the center."
  • Nurses in the hospital's emergency department are also concerned about their ability to care for mothers and newborns without the Birthing Center.
  • The Leominster nurses also take issue with the hospital's rationale for closing the service, where UMass claims it is due to staffing shortages.
  • Founded in 1903, the Massachusetts Nurses Association is the largest union of registered nurses in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.