Hearing Scheduled For Closing Maternity Ward At Falmouth Hospital

FALMOUTH, MA — Officials at Cape Cod Healthcare had closed Falmouth Hospital's maternity and pediatric units in March. But residents will get a chance to sound in on the decision during a public hearing Thursday.

Cape Cod Healthcare CEO Michael Lauf announced the permanent closure of the five-bed inpatient pediatric service, nine-bed inpatient obstetrics service and eight-bassinet infant nursery. July 29 was the target closure date.

But the Massachusetts Department of Public Health is required to hold a public hearing before services are closed at any hospital.

The hearing was scheduled for 6 p.m. Any who wants to participate can join the conference call at 888-390-5007. The participation code is 8649866.

After the hearing, DPH will make a decision within 15 days whether the service at the hospital is essential for "preserving access and health status with the hospital's service area," according to the department's website.

If the department deems the units necessary, Cape Cod Healthcare officials must submit a plan for ensuring those services are met within 15 days of DPH's decision.

When the maternity unit was closed at Falmouth Hospital, it was temporarily converted to ICU units to help nurses and doctors combat the new coronavirus. Maternity services were transferred to Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis.

A petition to re-open the maternity ward at Falmouth Hospital gathered thousands of signatures.

Petition author Katherine Kuusela wrote she hoped the petition would highlight the impact of closing will have on families who rely on the birthing center's services.

"It is heartbreaking to hear mothers will not have this incredible resource available in the Birth Center at Falmouth Hospital," Kuusela wrote. "The amazing birthing experience, continuity of care extending to lactation consultation, along with the breastfeeding support group needs to be locally accessible."

Cape Cod Healthcare CEO Michael Lauf responded to the petition. He praised petition organizers for their efforts but said the hospitals have a responsibility to keep people safe, especially during the COVID-19 crisis.

"I think it's great that people care so much about the community and the services in it," Lauf said. "It's also our responsibility to make sure we can serve a community in a crisis, and we have to do that."