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Going off-island if Brown University Health closes Newport Hospital Birthing Center. Meeting TONIGHT.
Brown University Health is weighing a decision to close The Birthing Center at Newport Hospital. Advocates are gathering steam to tell their personal stories about the importance of an on-island location to have their babies, and receive pre-natal and post-natal care.
Here is an explanation of the situation and what people can do TODAY to make their feelings known. It is written by Xay Khhamsyvoravong, the former Mayor and current city council member of Newport:
“For more than 150 years, Newport Hospital, part of Brown University Health, has served the community of Newport, Rhode Island, and the surrounding Aquidneck Island area with state-of-the-art, award-winning healthcare.
Eliminating Newport’s Birthing Center will immediately impact the City of Newport and will have devastating impacts on our community’s ability to attract families and equitably serve those who are here.
- Impact on Emergency Services – Experts estimate an expecting mother typically makes 2-4 impromptu trips to a delivery unit before they actually give birth – getting important treatment and care each time. If the closest delivery unit were an hour away in Providence, they’re likely to show up at Newport Hospital’s already strained emergency room. Eventually they will be diverted to another hospital.
On even a modest traffic day, I wish I had sirens to get up Route 4. Imagine going into labor. You can bet an expectant family will call for an ambulance. Taxpayers will be footing the bill, and in the meantime, response times for other emergencies will get crushed.
- Impact to the economy. It’s tough to live here. The cost of housing is insane and traffic is a nightmare. Poor access to healthcare will be yet another reason young families with flexibility won’t move here, or will need to negotiate flexible work terms to make it to appointments.
Those that can’t live elsewhere or negotiate time off will increasingly miss work, causing logistical nightmares. Our tale of two cities becomes bleaker and Newport as a whole will suffer.
We CAN do something – and NOW is the time.
Former Mayor Xay, his wife and his mother, who is a pediatrician
On Monday a new President [took] the helm of Newport Hospital. His first job will be working on the hospital’s budget, which is adopted in the fall, and deciding whether to cut the Birthing Center has been put squarely on his agenda.
It’s important that he understand, on day one, that access to women and family health is a priority for this community.
That’s why the Council is convening a special meeting on Tuesday [TONIGHT] at City Hall at 7pm to consider passing a resolution explaining the importance of the Birthing Center.
But that’s not enough.
We need YOU to tell your story. I’ve had the privilege of hearing many of your stories, but Newport Hospital and their parent, Brown Health, needs to hear it from you.
- First, Sarah Frost is an Executive Vice President and Chief of Hospital Operations at Brown University Health. She has a tough job and will be key decision maker. It’s important she hear why the Birthing Center is so important.
- Second, Newport Hospital enjoys a unique high level of support from community members. If you know a member of one of the hospital foundation’s boards, or a major donor, please reach out to them, thank them for their work, and to ask that they tell Brown Health and Newport Hospital that the Birthing Unit is one of the more important programs they care about.
- Finally, when you hear someone bemoaning the loss of something they loved in Newport, ask them to join us in advocating for the Birthing Center. Few things speak to the future of Newport more than the Birthing Center.
In the meantime, the Newport City Council will meet TONIGHT – July 15th – at 7pm at Newport City Hall to consider a resolution regarding all the above. I have full faith in my colleagues’ support, but please reach out to add YOUR support.
– In solidarity – XayÂ
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Here is the Resolution being submitted to the Newport Council:
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Statement from Newport Hospital:
- Brown Health is committed to making any difficult decisions with care and responsibility to protect our core mission – with our patients and community in mind.
- Brown Health will follow all regulatory and notification requirements if closure would occur.
- Brown Health leadership has committed to keep the community informed about the difficult decisions they must make to address our budget shortfall.
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About the Noreen Stonor Drexel Birthing Center at Newport Hospital
Over 13,000 births have taken place at Newport Hospital – over 400, on average, per year. Travel time to South County Hospital in Wakefield which has labor and delivery services is approximately 30 minutes and 60 minutes to Women & Infants Hospital in Providence.
From the Newport Hospital’s website:
Our team includes board certified obstetricians, pediatricians, a certified nurse midwife, certified lactation consultants and a highly rated nursing staff with national certification in obstetrical nursing.
The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) is the leading national obstetrical organization that recommends standards for the operations of obstetrical units at hospitals throughout the United States. Hospital accrediting bodies such as The Joint Commission (TJC) look to ACOG for guidance in establishing the TJC Hospital Accreditation Standards.
Obstetricians, anesthesiologists and certified nurse mid-wives at community hospitals throughout the United States, including Newport Hospital, may not be physically present in the hospital at all times. ACOG guidelines require that obstetricians and certified nurse midwives at community hospitals must be within 30 minutes of the hospital if not physically present. Newport Hospital is in full compliance with ACOG and TJC standards.
The Noreen Stonor Drexel Birthing Center at Newport Hospital carries the prestigious Baby-Friendly designation from the World Health Organization and UNICEF. Newport Hospital is recognized for providing an optimal environment for the promotion, protection, and support of breastfeeding. Hospitals are awarded this status only when trained, independent evaluators have determined that all hospital practices meet the rigorous Baby-Friendly standards.
Our Birthing center at Newport hosp, has always been recognized for their excellent care of new moms and their children. Brown Health is making a hasty decision in trying to take our very much needed Birthing Center. We are expecting new families from the Coast Guard and also Trump wants to elevate the Navy, We take care of our Naval population as well as our tourists from all over the world. Brown Health will face a very unfavorable esteem from our population. Newport may be a small Island, but we serve our surrounding towns, Bristol, Tiverton, Portsmouth, Middletown, Jamestown, Goat Island and Prudence Island. We have children and Grandchildren who may not favor attending Brown University if you disregard the needs of our residents in Newport County. I’m sure you can figure another way to save money and save lives at the same time. Thank you