Coronavirus: Falmouth Hospital Closing Maternity Ward

FALMOUTH, MA — Falmouth Hospital will close its maternity and pediatric inpatient services to open up beds hospital officials predicted will be needed to battle the new coronavirus. Hospital officials said these services will transfer to Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis beginning Monday.

Mike Lauf, the CEO of Cape Cod Healthcare, said these units at Falmouth Hospital will be converted to adult patient care areas capable of treating patients needing ICU level of care.

"Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Cape Cod Healthcare had been monitoring declines in patient volume and challenges in physician coverage in the Falmouth Hospital obstetric and pediatric units," Lauf said. "Should the COVID-19 models play out, there will be an increased demand for inpatient beds for the critically ill and those battling COVID-19 on Cape Cod."

Cape Obstetrics & Gynecology, a Falmouth Hospital based OB/GYN practice, will continue to provide obstetrical and gynecological care services at practice offices in Falmouth, Bourne and Sandwich. Prenatal visits will remain as scheduled at all of these offices.

Deliveries will be moved to Cape Cod Hospital. Falmouth Hospital providers will be made available for deliveries at Cape Cod Hospital, when possible, alongside the Cape Cod Healthcare team of midwives.

Gynecological surgeries and procedures will continue to be performed at Falmouth Hospital, in addition to routine gynecological care at the upper Cape offices. Infants and children will still have full access to the Falmouth Hospital emergency department and surgical services.

"Patients will continue to receive the care they need close to home," Lauf said. "In light of the new healthcare landscape, it is in the best interest of our patients and providers that we consolidate our birthing services under The Family Birthplace at Cape Cod Hospital."

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