Newport Hospital announced that its Noreen Stonor Drexel Birthing Center will remain open following an independent review and community input, but officials said the service will require about $4.9 million in additional annual funding to continue operating. Hospital leaders said the funding would need to come from a combination of increased state support and philanthropy, with efforts to secure those funds beginning immediately.
The hospital engaged consulting firm Kaufman Hall to conduct a comprehensive review of the birthing center, evaluating perinatal quality and safety against national Level I standards and the program’s long-term sustainability. According to the review, the birthing center provides safe, quality care with round-the-clock obstetric, pediatric, and anesthesia coverage. The assessment identified areas needing additional investment, including workforce sustainability, preparedness for high-acuity, low-frequency events, and maintaining reliable operations in a low-volume setting.
Dr. Tenny Thomas, president of Newport Hospital, stated: “The independent review affirmed the quality and safety of care delivered by our clinical teams and outlined the additional investments needed to ensure the program remains strong and financially sustainable.” A Community Advisory Panel was convened throughout the process, and Thomas said CAP members apprised of the decision are supportive of remaining open while Brown University Health seeks additional state and philanthropic funding.
Hospital officials emphasized that state and philanthropic investments are essential to improving care across Rhode Island and maintaining quality local services. “The call to action is that we need the support and advocacy of our community and policymakers to secure these resources so we can continue providing essential care close to home,” Thomas said. Founded in 1873, Newport Hospital is a 129-bed nonprofit acute care facility affiliated with Brown University Health.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.eastbayri.com/////////////stories/newport-birthing-center-to-remain-open-seeks-funding,138875