After an outcry from community groups, the birth unit at Santa Paula (Calif.) Hospital is halting plans to close and now expects to deliver 10 babies a month, Ventura County officials told the VC Star.
Hospital CEO John Fankhauser, MD, told media he anticipates 10 monthly deliveries as well as patients from county clinics will help bring success to the unit, which has suffered from low patient volume. He said the unit is still expected to close June 30, but it will reopen Aug. 1, allowing for time to get a group together to run the unit.
Clinicas del Camino Real medical group pledged to deliver the 10 babies a month at Santa Paula, officials told the Star June 24.
About a month ago, county officials revealed plans to close labor and delivery service at the facility.
Read the full Star report here.