Paris, Tenn.–Henry County Medical Center officials have issued official notice to the Paris Women’s Center patients that the hospital is ceasing newborn delivery services as of September 1, 2023.
A letter went out to all patients of the Women’s Center stating, “We regret to inform you that HCMC is ceasing newborn delivery services and this letter is the official written notice that obstetrical services will end 9/1/23.”
Officials said, “We are ready to help you re-establish care at a clinic of your choosing as quickly as possible. The closest available in-state locations for obstetrical care include: Martin, Clarksville, Jackson, and Union City.”
Hospital CEO John Tucker announced in May that HCMC will suspend OB services on Sept. 1. After weeks of no response at all, BlueCare finally responded to Henry County Medical Center’s request for a higher reimbursement rate. But the response was way less than what Hospital CEO John Tucker said will be enough to keep the OB unit open. The Tenncare insurance provider offered only a 25 percent increase for this year and a 10-12 percent increase for next year.
Concerned citizens have been crowding Henry County Commission and hospital board meetings and a grassroots organization, Northwest Tennessee Cares, has formed to lobby for OB services to remain open.
In the closure letter to patients, hospital officials said, “Paris Women’s Center clinic staff are available on site to provide patients with a copy of their chart and secure transfer of obstetrical care. All necessary forms will be available at the current Paris Women’s Clinic at 300 Hospital Circle in Paris on the first floor of the Medical Arts Building.”
Hospital officials said, “We would like to see all of our patients again, even if you have already established OB care elsewhere. We will have a Henry County Quilting Guild baby quilt and an East Wood Church of Christ baby receiving blanket for those babies we had started prenatal care and can no longer deliver at HCMC.”
Gynecological care for women’s wellness and for problem Gyn, including surgery, will continue in a new clinic in Paris.
Dr. Katherine Whitfield, DO, Dr. Sandra Boxell, MD, and Dr. Pamela Evans, MD, “are honored to have been with you as your family has expanded and as new life entered our world. We send this letter with great sadness. For us, this work has never been work to us. It has been our vocation and our life’s calling. We have been privileged to serve alongside very talented, special care nursery and labor and delivery nurses. Our nights, days, weekends, and holidays in service at Henry County Medical Center Labor and Delivery have been joy filled with colleagues whom we respect and will miss”, according to the letter.