Central Maine Hospital Announces Closure of Its Maternity Center

A longtime Women's Health & Maternity unit will be closing its doors by the end of July, according to WGME 13.

St. Mary's Hospital in Lewiston, Maine, has announced that they will be closing down their Women's Health and Maternity Center. They say that it is due in part to a steady decline in the number of babies born at the hospital each year.

St Mary's 2, Google Maps

WGME reports that in previous years, the hospital would deliver more than 1,000 babies a year. However, in more recent history, those numbers have been trending steadily downward with 2021 only bringing 485 babies into the department.

St. Mary's Health System President, Steve Jorgensen, told WGME that the decision was in fact 'extremely tough'. He went on to tell the news outlet in part,

St Mary's, Google Maps

"Looking at where the birth rates are going and what the needs are in the community, we felt it would be best to close our program, work closely with Central Maine Medical Center to absorb that".

WGME reports that some on the maternity staff were upset about the news that was revealed to them on Wednesday of this week. Though WGME also reports that many maternity nurses and OBGYNs and midwives have decided to go to Central Maine Medical Center.

St Mary's 3, Google Maps

WGME reports that the ward will officially close at the end of July and, at least as of right now, St. Mary's doesn't have upcoming plans for the vacant space left behind by the closure.

Inside Plummer Memorial Hospital

Built in 1900, the old hospital in Dexter, Maine has about 11,000 square feet of usable space. About 6,000 square feet has been set aside as office space and 3,000 space is being used by a long term renter. The building could be used for a variety of uses. Get all the details and schedule a showing HERE.