Hartford HealthCare received state approval Friday to move forward with its plan to officially end labor and delivery services at Windham Hospital. More than three years have passed since the decision to end the service sparked community opposition.
in Final decision on page 8the Department for Health Strategy granted the hospital permission to end inpatient maternity services subject to the terms of the settlement.
The plan includes ensuring the hospital continues to provide prenatal and postnatal care, transportation for birthing parents, and commissioning an independent study into the feasibility of establishing a midwifery center to serve parents in the Windham area. Contains requirements.
If a midwifery center is determined to be necessary and feasible, the proposed settlement requires hospitals to either operate the center through a non-hospital affiliate or assist in identifying a suitable provider.
OHS Executive Director Dr. Deirdre Gifford said in a press release that the settlement ensures that the health of birth parents will not be compromised by the closure.
“These conditions will enable a safe, patient-centered experience and ensure that Windham residents have continued access to prenatal and postnatal services through the Wyndham Women's Health Clinic, providing support for birth parents and their support companions. “Free emergency and non-emergency transportation, access to the hospital of their choice, and access to a postpartum nurse visit program through the Family Bridge pilot program,” Gifford said. .
The agreement requires Hartford HealthCare to maintain labor and delivery services and a neonatal unit at Backus Hospital in Norwich, about 26 miles from the Windham facility. The settlement also requires Bacchus to expand its child care facilities over the long term.
“Our ongoing programs include transportation, a nurse navigator program to coordinate care, award-winning obstetric services and an upgraded NICU,” Wyndham and Bacchus Hospital President Donna Hundley said in a press release. “This includes access to a well-equipped Bacchus Hospital to give birth.” . “We look forward to establishing training programs for certified doulas and working with the state and other partners to provide the safest care possible.”
Wyndham first suspended its maternity unit in 2020, then filed an application with the state to suspend services through a process called a “certificate of need.” The hospital is currently one of three hospitals seeking regulatory approval to eliminate labor and delivery departments. The others are Johnson Memorial Hospital in Stafford and Sharon Hospital in the northwestern part of the state.
Friday's decision comes more than a year after an OHS hearing judge recommended a final decision refusing to close Windham's maternity ward. The draft decision drew applause from Attorney General William Tong as well as labor and community activists who rallied to save the troops.
John Brady, a registered nurse and vice president of AFT Connecticut, said in a statement Monday that while the decision acknowledged the hospital network's responsibility to continue supporting patients, it also acknowledged flaws in the state's certificate of need process. He also said that it was highlighted.
“While this decision is not everything our members had hoped for, it proves that health care chains cannot escape their responsibility to the communities in which they operate,” Brady said. “This shows why we need to amend Connecticut’s certificate of need law and establish a ‘no shovel in the ground’ approach. should not be allowed to terminate medical care and services.”
