Wayne Memorial Hospital considers ending labor and delivery services

JESUP, Ga. (WTOC) - Wayne Memorial Hospital could soon have to shut down labor and delivery services.

That’s according to a statement from the hospital’s CEO Joseph Ierardi.

Ierardi says the hospital has been actively recruiting for two additional full-time OB/GYNs to assist with the workload of their current staff.

Hospital officials say they may have to suspend obstetric, or labor and delivery services, in the future until they have enough physicians on board for a full program.

However, hospital officials say OB/GYN services are functioning as normal for now, and there’s no set timeline for shutting down obstetrics if they’re unable to hire more physicians.

You can read the full statement below:

“The hospital’s leadership team is and has been actively recruiting for two additional full-time OB/GYNs to assist in the workload of the current OB/GYN on staff. We know how important these services are to our community as a whole. While those services are not closing, and GYN services are continuing, we may have to suspend obstetric services in the future until enough physicians are on board to run a full program with the continuity and safety that is necessary to provide high quality care. As our mission is to provide high quality care to all patients, we thank our employees, patients and community for their support.” - Joseph P. Ierardi, Chief Executive Officer