Newport Hospital Birthing Center Coalition - Community Q&A Fact Sheet and Update

https://www.savenewportbirthingcenter.org/home

What is happening right now?

The birthing center at Newport Hospital is under active review by Brown Health due to concerns about staffing, declining birth volume, and financial sustainability. No final decision has been announced, but closure or restructuring is being considered.

Why is this important?

The birthing center is an essential healthcare service for Newport County families. Without it, patients would need to travel off-island—primarily to Providence—for labor and delivery, increasing health risks, stress, and barriers to care and increased costs to families and municipal emergency transportation services. 

Where does the decision stand?

• The process is ongoing and not finalized
• Brown Health has conducted internal evaluations
• A Clinical Advisory Panel (CAP) has met to assess options
• No public plan or timeline has been clearly shared

Who is making the decision?

Brown Health leadership (parent system)
Newport Hospital leadership
They are receiving input from:

• Clinical Advisory Panel (CAP)
• Medical staff and providers

What is the Clinical Advisory Panel (CAP)?

A group convened last Fall and was appointed by Brown Health to:

• Review safety and quality
• Assess staffing and patient volume
• Recommend next steps

There is currently limited public transparency about its findings or recommendations.

When will a decision be made?

No clear public timeline has been provided
A decision could come within the next several weeks or months
Community leaders are calling for transparency and public input before any final decision

What happens if the birthing center closes?

• All deliveries shift off-island (likely to Providence)
• Longer travel times during labor
• Increased strain on regional hospitals
• Potential negative impacts on maternal and infant health
• Loss of a critical local healthcare service

What is the Birthing Center Coalition asking for now?

• A clear, public plan and transparent timeline for the decision process
• Transparency in data and decision-making
• A commitment to maintaining local maternal care access
• Exploration of solutions to sustain services, including:
       Workforce investments
       Regional partnerships
       State and philanthropic support

What role can the State of Rhode Island play?

• Provide targeted funding or incentives
• Require transparency and impact analysis
• Support the maternal healthcare workforce
• Recognize maternal care as an essential regional service

What can you do right now?

Act Now to have your voice heard

You can take action to support keeping the birthing center open

Send an email to:
John Fernandez, President of Brown Health, John.Fernandez@brownhealth.org
Tenny Thomas, President of Newport Hospital, TThomas6@brownhealth.org

• Ask them to keep the Newport Hospital birthing center open
• Urge them to explore all options for sustainability
• Encourage investment in building a 5-star, high-quality birthing center in Newport County
• Share why local access to maternal care matters to you and your family
• Ask for public meetings on the decision process now

Here is a sample letter:

Dear Mr. Fernandez and Dr. Thomas,

I am writing to urge you to keep the birthing center at Newport Hospital open and to fully explore all options to sustain and strengthen this essential service.

For families in Newport County, local access to safe, high-quality maternal care is critical. Requiring patients to travel off-island for labor and delivery would create unnecessary risks, stress, and barriers—especially for those with limited resources or high-risk pregnancies.

I respectfully ask that you:

• Commit to maintaining birthing services at Newport Hospital
• Provide a clear and transparent plan for the program’s future
• Explore all possible solutions to build a sustainable, high-quality, “5-star” birthing center that serves our community for the long term

This is not just a healthcare service—it is a vital part of our community’s wellbeing. [Optional: Add a personal sentence about why this matters to you or your family.]

Thank you for your leadership and your consideration.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Your Town / Newport County Resident]

Bottom Line

No final decision has been made.

The coming weeks and months are critical to ensure Newport County families continue to have safe and local access to essential maternal care.

Next Steps:

Mark your calendar: Lobby Day at the RI State House

Thursday, April 9, 3:00

More information in our next newsletter.

The Birthing Center Coalition is a broad community group of concerned Newport individuals and organizations working to preserve the Birthing Center at Newport Hospital. 

The Coalition for Newport Hospital Birthing Center is dedicated to protecting and sustaining access to local, high-quality maternal and newborn care for Newport County and Aquidneck Island families. 

We advocate for the continued operation of the Noreen Stonor Drexel Birthing Center at Newport Hospital, recognizing its essential role in community health, public safety, and equitable access to care.

Our members and newsletters are listed on our website:

https://www.savenewportbirthingcenter.org/home