Merrimack Health said this morning it plans to end maternity and neonatal services in four months at the former Holy Family Hospital in Methuen, consolidate those services in Lawrence and remove unused pediatric beds in Haverhill and Methuen.
Merrimack Health reported in a statement, it filed a Closure of Essential Services application on behalf of Methuen Hospital with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. The statement added, about 85 employees will be affected but most will be transferred within the hospital system.
“Historically, these two hospitals competed for maternity services—less than two miles apart,” said Merrimack Health President and CEO Diana Richardson. “We are bringing together two trusted programs that will allow for a more seamless experience for mothers, babies and families and greater collaboration among providers. By combining these services into a single center of care, Merrimack Health ensures continued access to maternity care locally.”
Officials said, while both hospitals have experienced a decline in births, this has been most notable at Methuen Hospital, which averages fewer than two deliveries per day. In addition, the special care nursery in Methuen averages a daily census of fewer than one infant, with multiple stretches of days seeing no admissions.
“Low patient volume makes it challenging for clinicians to maintain competencies, retain staff and sustain the delivery of high-quality care,” said George Kondylis, chief physician executive. “Consistent patient volume is critical to maintaining the excellent standard of care we want for our communities. This is especially true for the maternity and neonatal services that families trust us to provide.”
The state filing seeks to remove the licensees for seven unused pediatric beds in Haverhill and the 20 unused pediatric beds in Methuen. Officials said, Methuen Hospital will request a waiver to convert the 20 Methuen beds at Methuen into “much needed adult medical/surgical beds at that campus.”
Two-thirds of the health system’s deliveries currently occur at the former Lawrence General Hospital. They said a detailed evaluation concluded that Lawrence Hospital has better capacity and the supporting services to accommodate a consolidated service. This includes Lawrence’s Level III Trauma Center that, the statement said, cannot be replicated at Methuen Hospital and ensures mothers do not need to be transported between hospitals during severe health and high-stress situations.