SAN DIMAS, Calif. (July 12, 2023) – Today, San Dimas Community Hospital announced plans to begin closure of its Maternal Child Services, including obstetrics, labor and delivery, newborn nursery, and perinatal services, in mid-October.
“Our team has had the privilege of delivering tens of thousands of babies to San Dimas families, and the decision to close our program means we will redirect resources to where there is a greater community need,” said Parrish Scarboro, CEO of San Dimas Community Hospital. “The demand for perinatal care, labor and delivery and neonatal services at our hospital is not what it once was, and this leads us to focus on growing other essential services based on community need. Serving the healthcare needs of our patients today, and into the future, remains our top priority. Our community depends on us and we will continue to invest in services that are most critically needed.”
California’s birth rate is at its lowest level in roughly 100 years, according to a report from the Public Policy Institute of California. The number of births has fallen from a peak in 1992 of 613,000 to 420,000 in 2021 (2022 is on track to be similar to 2021). According to Scarboro, San Dimas Community Hospital has experienced this downward trend over recent years and is currently averaging less than two births per day in its seven-bed unit.
The hospital will continue to provide gynecologic services, and emergency care will be provided for expectant mothers who may present at the San Dimas Community Hospital Emergency Department.
A comprehensive transition plan is underway to ensure that expectant mothers have support for their delivery care plans and are connected to nearby hospitals. There are three hospitals within a 12-mile radius of San Dimas Community Hospital that provide obstetrics, labor and delivery, and newborn services. Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center is located seven miles away, Montclair Hospital Medical Center is located 10 miles away, and Queen of the Valley Hospital is located 11.8 miles from San Dimas.
“Thank you to our dedicated obstetric, labor and delivery, and neonatology teams for their hard work and loyalty to patients, families, and San Dimas Community Hospital,” continued Scarboro. “Our caregivers have helped thousands of families experience the birthing journey and welcome new loved ones into their lives.”
Approximately 18 employees will be impacted by this transition. These dedicated staff members will be offered positions in other departments of the hospital or at other Prime Healthcare facilities.
Interested parties may direct comments Parrish Scarboro, CEO, at (909) 305-5616 or Christopher Doan, Managing Associate General Counsel, at (310) 259-4706.
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About San Dimas Community Hospital
San Dimas Community Hospital is an award-winning, 101-bed facility serving the San Dimas, Glendora, Covina, and La Verne, California communities with compassionate, quality care. Services include 24-hour emergency care, orthopedic surgery, advanced diagnostic services, cardiopulmonary and gastrointestinal services. A three-time recipient of the 100 Top Hospitals by IBM Watson Health, San Dimas Community Hospital has also been acknowledged by the Women’s Choice Award for America’s Best Hospitals for Patient Safety and is a recipient of the prestigious Healthgrades Patient Safety Excellence Award. Learn more at sandimashospital.com.
Media Contact: Roxanne Meyers
Email: Rmeyers1@primehealthcare.com
Mobile: 909-544.9181