Hemet nurses protest obstetrics service cuts at HGMC on October 17
Hemet Hospital Nurses to Picket Over Closure of Obstetrics Services
Nurses at Hemet Global Medical Center (HGMC) in Hemet, California, are set to stage an informational picket on October 17 in response to the hospital's impending termination of obstetrics services, as announced by the California Nurses Association/National Nurses United (CNA/NNU).
The hospital's owner, KPC Health, has decided to discontinue these services by October 31, posing potential risks for expectant patients who will need to travel longer distances, possibly up to an hour, to access specialized obstetrics care. This change is particularly concerning for those facing emergencies or lacking reliable transportation, as Hemet will no longer have staff with the necessary obstetrics expertise.
"We are deeply concerned that KPC Health and its executives are refusing to consider the needs of our patients who cannot travel to other Riverside County hospitals for care," said Ginny Packham, RN, a nurse in the hospital's obstetrics unit. "These patients, many of whom have high-risk pregnancies and have not received adequate prenatal care, will inevitably go to Hemet’s emergency department. But, who will care for them? As talented and committed as they are, HMC’s emergency department staff have not been trained to deliver babies."
Picket Details
What: Informational picket and rally by Hemet Global Medical Center RNs
When: Thursday, October 17, from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Where: Hemet Global Medical Center, 1117 E Devonshire Ave, Hemet, CA – front entrance sidewalk
On August 27, KPC Health informed Hemet nurses, members of CNA/NNU, of the planned suspension of obstetrics services, citing "the action is required based upon the business needs of the facility." Amidst ongoing growth in the Inland Empire, including Hemet, nurses argue that the need for obstetrics services is likely to rise.
"KPC Health's decision to close essential obstetrics services, including labor and delivery services, comes as more and more people are moving to Hemet to grow and raise their families," said Sharon Glisson, RN from the ICU. "Unfortunately, closing obstetrics services drains Hemet of the specialized obstetrics knowledge and expertise that saves lives and improves health outcomes for expecting patients and their growing families. In essence, the quality of medical care at Hemet will decline."
The closure will affect nearly thirty obstetrics nurses in and around Hemet, California. Although they might be able to transition to other departments, their specialized training in labor, delivery, and postpartum care isn't readily applicable to other hospital units without further training.
CNA represents over 300 nurses at Hemet Global Medical Center.
California Nurses Association/National Nurses United is the largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses in the nation with more than 100,000 members in more than 200 facilities throughout California and nearly 225,000 RNs nationwide.
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