To Our Copley Hospital Community:
We want to provide you with an update on the steps the Board of Trustees is taking as part of a comprehensive review of the Birthing Center. This process will inform the decision on whether to continue operating, significantly change the current service model, or close the service. Throughout the review, we will always be keeping the expectant mothers in mind, as well as everyone we serve.
To ensure a thorough and objective assessment, the Board has recently engaged an external consultant with extensive experience in the healthcare sector. This consultant will conduct an in-depth evaluation of all aspects related to maintaining or closing the Birthing Center. As part of their review, they will meet with focus groups, including Birthing Center staff and medical providers, analyze state and regional hospital birth data, examine similar hospital closures, and review Copley’s birth statistics and financial data. It is essential to incorporate all perspectives and data points to fully understand the impact of the Birthing Center before any recommendations are made.
The consultant’s evaluation will consider several key factors, including:
• The steady decline in birth volume at Copley.
• The inherent risks associated with a lower number of births.
• The financial implications of maintaining a fully staffed Birthing Center 365 days a year.
• Challenges in staffing the Center amid a tight labor market.
• Current quality standards for obstetrical care and potential alternative care models that could meet the community’s needs.
These factors, alongside qualitative and quantitative data, will collectively shape the final decision.
Since December 2024, when the possibility of closure was first raised following the Oliver Wyman report, we have listened to input from Copley employees, medical staff, volunteer committee members, patients, and the broader community. We recognize and share many of your concerns. A decision of this magnitude requires careful consideration and deliberation.
While many have voiced strong support for keeping the Birthing Center open, we have also heard from patients who love Copley but ultimately chose to give birth elsewhere due to the availability of greater resources. Their decisions, though difficult, reflect the complexity of this issue.
The consultant’s review is expected to take approximately three months. Once their report is submitted, the Board will have a clearer understanding of the long-term sustainability of the Birthing Center and will determine the best path forward for Copley.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we conduct this important assessment. Updates will be posted on the Copley Hospital website and Facebook page as they become available.
Community input can be emailed to administration@CHSI.org.
Thank you for your continued support and for being part of our exceptional Copley community.
In gratitude,
The Copley Hospital Board of Trustees