Hemet nurses condemn suspension of hospital’s obstetrics services

Registered nurses at Hemet Global Medical Center in Hemet, California, condemn the suspension of obstetrics services at the hospital, announced California Nurses Association/National Nurses United (CNA/NNU) today.

Nurses say the loss of the obstetrics department will likely be dangerous for expectant patients who come to the emergency room in labor. The hospital frequently cares for high-risk, pregnant patients, many of whom are low-income and have not received adequate prenatal care. These patients may not be able to travel to another hospital.

"Closing obstetrics services at our hospital will affect our most vulnerable populations, who are already at risk for poor health outcomes," said Ginny Packham, a labor and delivery RN in the obstetrics department at Hemet Global Medical Center. "Closing this vital community resource will hurt our pregnant patients, who will now need to travel much further to get obstetrics care."

Hemet Global will continue to receive these patients, but the hospital will not have the experienced obstetrics staff to safely care for them.

The RNs demand that the obstetrics department remain open. The department is a critical and irreplaceable resource for Hemet residents. Families and patients seeking obstetrics care would be forced to travel an additional 30-60 minutes depending on traffic, with any delays potentially jeopardizing the health and safety of both parent and baby.

California Nurses Association represents nearly 300 nurses at Hemet Global Medical Center.

California Nurses Association/National Nurses United is the largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses in the nation with more than 100,000 members in more than 200 facilities throughout California and nearly 225,000 RNs nationwide.