The New York State Nurses Association is asking New York City-based NewYork-Presbyterian Allen Hospital to "immediately reconsider" the decision to shutter its midwifery services March 3.
Nurses, community members and elected officials gathered outside the hospital to voice their opinion after the service closure was announced, according to a Jan. 11 NYSNA press release.
"The closure of our services jeopardizes patient safety and exacerbates existing challenges. Let's unite to reverse this decision, safeguard lives, and prioritize the well-being of the women and families we serve," Ingrid Deler-Garcia, RN, a nurse midwife at NYP Allen Hospital, said in the release.
The decision to close the hospital's midwifery services is part of a plan to evolve its perinatal care model and care teams, a spokesperson for NewYork-Presbyterian told Becker's in a statement.
"This is part of a broader commitment and investment that will enhance perinatal services and the overall patient experience at NewYork-Presbyterian Allen Hospital, now and into the future," the spokesperson said.
NewYork-Presbyterian Allen Hospital, part of NewYork-Presbyterian, an integrated academic health system, is a 196-bed hospital that features services like cardiology, geriatric medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, general surgery, emergency medicine, orthopedics, family medicine, and more.