Hemet Nurses Halt Closure of Obstetrics Unit, Extend Services to 2025

KPC Health Faces Legal Challenges Over Planned Suspension of Obstetrics Services

Registered nurses at Hemet Global Medical Center (HGMC) have successfully delayed the closure of the hospital's obstetrics department, which was initially scheduled for October 31, 2024. This decision comes after a concerted effort by the California Nurses Association/National Nurses United (CNA/NNU) to address concerns regarding patient care and regulatory compliance.

HGMC's obstetrics unit, under threat of closure, will now remain operational until at least January 31, 2025, following pressure from registered nurses and intervention by California's Department of Public Health (CDPH).

"Hemet nurses fought hard to protect our patients from KPC Health’s irresponsible and hasty decision to cut obstetrics services," stated Ginny Packham, RN, in the hospital's obstetrics unit. The extension ensures that the unit will continue to operate during the busy holiday season, providing care for an increased number of patients with illnesses such as flu and coronavirus.

Concerns about the impact on underserved communities were raised by HGMC nurses immediately after the hospital's August 27 announcement to close the obstetrics unit. The nurses brought these issues to the attention of the CDPH, highlighting KPC Health's failure to meet legal and regulatory standards for the discontinuation of acute-care services.

Following a widely covered informational picket on October 17, CDPH sided with the union's assessment. In a letter dated October 18, the department informed CNA that KPC Health could not fully suspend its perinatal services without adhering to statutory notice requirements outlined in California’s Health and Safety Code Sec. 1255.25(a)(1).

"While KPC Health was insisting that Hemet’s moms give birth in the emergency room and actively flouting the law, they also announced the development of a luxury hotel," said Sharon Glisson, RN, in the intensive care unit, referencing the KPC Group’s new hotel in Inglewood, Calif. Glisson emphasized the commitment of nurses to prioritize patient care over corporate interests.

Despite CDPH's directives, KPC Health initially continued with its closure plans, leading to a decisive "march on the boss" by nurses on October 30. This protest prompted KPC Health to keep the obstetrics services open until January 31, 2025, and to withdraw layoff notices for the obstetrics nursing staff.

Glisson added, "Hemet nurses successfully showed KPC Health that they are not above the law. We will use this victory to strengthen our ongoing efforts to hold KPC Health accountable to higher standards – not just in Hemet but in all the facilities across Southern California that it owns and operates."

KPC Health, which manages several facilities across Southern California, including four acute-care hospitals, boasts assets worth $10 billion, encompassing a range of sectors from healthcare to real estate and agriculture.

---
Read More USA Works News