CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Northwestern Medicine’s McHenry Hospital will no longer offer labor and delivery services starting Tuesday.
The Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review board voted 7-1 last week to allow the health system to consolidate obstetric and neonatal care to its Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital, eliminating all but emergency births from its McHenry location.
“We are aligning inpatient women’s and children’s services at Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital to provide an elevated program in one location,” said Senior Vice President Thomas McAfee in a September statement. “With an established affiliation with Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago for 24/7 in-house neonatal and pediatric coverage, we are heightening the level of care we provide to newborns, children and parents, close to home.”
While some expecting mothers may have to drive further, officials said the decision allows them to better meet the changing needs of McHenry County residents, specifically cardiovascular and neurosurgery patients.
All outpatient women's and children's services, including offices in obstetrics, gynecology, and pediatrics, will remain at existing offices throughout McHenry County and northern Kane County.
Additionally, Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital will maintain Level II trauma status with an obstetrics and gynecology physician on call, and will also continue to offer gynecologic surgery.
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