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NILES — An announcement that St. Joseph Warren Hospital would be closing its labor and delivery unit has upset some local leaders, and another one has responded, urging them to reconsider.
In a statement Thursday afternoon, Mayor Steven Mientkiewicz said the decision to relocate the services from Trumbull County to Boardman has “serious implications” — not only for Niles, but every community in Trumbull County, noting additional travel burdens, stress for families and challenges for individuals lacking reliable transportation in areas far away from Boardman.
The unit is set to close in December, with the Warren hospital intending to refer patients to St. Elizabeth Boardman Hospital, approximately 22 miles south of the Niles.
For Niles residents needing such care, it would mean a 30 minute drive, even on the fastest available route shown by Google Maps.
“Our responsibility as local leaders is to advocate for the health, safety, and well-being of the people we serve,” Mientkiewicz said. “Expecting mothers should not have to face additional uncertainty about where they will receive care during one of the most important and vulnerable times in their lives.”
“Trumbull County is a community, and the availability of maternal healthcare affects every city, village, and township within it. The potential loss of these services would have consequences for families, healthcare providers, emergency responders, and the long-term well-being of our region.”
Mientkiewicz said local leaders recognize that healthcare organizations face complex financial, operation and staffing challenges, but they ask that Mercy Health engage in discussions to explore every reasonable alternative, as well as consider the broader regional impact.
“Opportunities to meet with Mercy Health leadership to discuss these concerns, review the potential consequences for our residents, and explore solutions that would preserve access to labor and delivery services within Trumbull County should not be ignored,” Mientkiewicz said.
Mientkiewicz said the goal is to work together toward an outcome that focuses on patient safety and access to care, noting that Mercy Health has an “important role” in the well-being of people in the region.