York Hospital Birthing Unit to Close in Maine

A shortage of healthcare workers is forcing York Hospital to shut down its inpatient birthing unit at the end of September.

The hospital, which has struggled with staffing, said it is working to transfer patients to Wentworth-Douglass Hospital in Dover. Wentworth-Douglass is owned by the Mass General Brigham system while York Hospital is an affiliate. In a statement, York's President & CEO, Dr. Patrick Taylor, said he has every confidence that mothers and babies will receive a higher level of care.

The unit is scheduled to close on September 25.

“We’re keenly aware of the impact that this difficult decision will have on our patients and our community. Multiple steps were taken to keep the department open, but unfortunately, worker shortages have left us unable to provide the level of consistent, high-quality care our patients deserve,” Taylor said in a statement.

Patients with concerns or questions can call the OB/GYN, Surgical & Midwifery Associates of York Hospital 207-351-3455

The hospital will continue to provide gynecological care at its main campus, and pediatric services on its York and Wells campuses.

York Hospital is the second Seacoast region hospital to eliminate its birthing unit in the past year. In 2022, Frisbie Memorial Hospital in Rochester announced its labor and delivery services would be transferred to HCA Healthcare sister hospital at Portsmouth Regional Hospital.

Greater Rochester Community Health Foundation and FMH Health Services, LLC, a company operated by HCA Healthcare, reached an agreement in March that would allow the unit to close while the foundation received $2.75 million in financial support.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via X (Twitter) @DanAlexanderNH