Hemet nurses protest closure of obstetrics services scheduled for Oct. 31

Registered nurses at Hemet Global Medical Center (HGMC) in Hemet, Calif. will hold an informational picket on Oct. 17 to protest the hospital's decision to cut obstetrics services, announced California Nurses Association/National Nurses United (CNA/NNU).

The decision by KPC Health, HGMC's owner, to cut obstetrics services - effective Oct. 31 - will risk outcomes for expecting patients, who will now have to travel an additional half hour to an hour to receive specialized obstetrics care. For patients who are facing a medical emergency or are unable to access reliable transportation, they will have no other option but to receive care at Hemet, where there will be no staff with specialized obstetrics training.

"We are deeply concerned that KPC Health and its executives are refusing to consider the needs of our patients who cannot travel to other Riverside County hospitals for care," said Ginny Packham, RN in the hospital's obstetrics unit. "These patients, many of whom have high-risk pregnancies and have not received adequate prenatal care, will inevitably go to Hemet's emergency department. But, who will care for them? As talented and committed as they are, HMC's emergency department staff have not been trained to deliver babies."

What: Hemet Global Medical Center RNs' informational picket and rally to highlight consequences of shuttering obstetrics services
When: Thursday, Oct. 17, 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Where: Hemet Global Medical Center, 1117 E Devonshire Ave, Hemet, CA - front entrance sidewalk

KPC Health provided written confirmation to Hemet nurses, who are members of CNA/NNU, that it would suspend obstetrics services on Aug. 27. The notice cited that "the action is required based upon the business needs of the facility." However, as Hemet grows in population, amidst a broader development boom in the Inland Empire, nurses say the demand for obstetrics services will only increase.

"KPC Health's decision to close essential obstetrics services, including labor and delivery services, comes as more and more people are moving to Hemet to grow and raise their families," said Sharon Glisson, RN in the ICU. "Unfortunately, closing obstetrics services drains Hemet of the specialized obstetrics knowledge and expertise that saves lives and improves health outcomes for expecting patients and their growing families. In essence, the quality of medical care at Hemet will decline."

Nearly thirty obstetrics nurses who live in and near Hemet, Calif. will be impacted by KPC Health's decision. While they may have the option to work in other units, all have specialized training and certifications in labor and delivery and postpartum care, which is not transferable to working in other hospital units without additional training.

CNA represents more than 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.