Over the last few years, we have heard many stories about Maine's hospitals reducing the services they offer.

Recently, many Maine hospitals have fallen on hard times.  For example, we recently learned that California-based non-profit Prime Healthcare Services has made a deal to purchase several hospitals, including Central Maine Medical Center.

However, sometimes, these service reductions are not due to financial issues but to a lack of qualified staff. It appears that is what happened with the latest announcement about the closure of a Maine birthing center.

According to an article on the KJ website, Northern Light Health announced on Thursday that it would be ending birthing services at both Northern Light Inland Hospital and Women’s Health locations in Waterville.  These departments will close on March 1st, 2025.

Craig Pattenaude / Unsplash
Craig Pattenaude / Unsplash
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According to a quote from Suzanne R. Spruce, Northern Light's Senior Vice President, it appears that the decision to close the birthing centers was due to issues with recruiting the needed staff to operate the departments.

The closure of these birthing departments leaves Waterville with no birthing services.  Nearby alternatives for expectant mothers include Redington-Fairview Hospital in Skowhegan, Maine General in Augusta, and Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor.

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The article explains that the closure of the birthing departments is meant to allow time for the Nothern Light system to develop a new program to help expectant mothers in the Waterville area.  However, representatives for the hospital were not willing to speculate on when the new programs would be rolled out.

Representatives say they do intend to re-evaluate the situation in six months.

You can read more about recent changes at Northern Light HERE.

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