In an unanticipated move, the Jackson South Medical Center has closed its maternity unit ahead of the previously scheduled date, ceasing services today. Initially expected to shut down in October, the timeline was abruptly moved up. A memo sent to Jackson South staff, acquired by Local 10, revealed that they would no longer be transferring patients to the maternity unit as of last Thursday.
Reportedly due to staffing challenges, including instances where nurses were shifting away from the unit, the closure was accelerated to maintain safe staffing levels. In the words of Jackson Health System spokesperson Carla Palmer, "We have experienced ongoing staffing challenges, including frequent call-outs and nurses transferring to other positions, which have made it increasingly difficult to maintain safe staffing levels," as stated in an email. She also mentioned that all deliveries slated for the hospital had taken place, contributing to the decision to speed up the process. This information comes from an email that was part of a public record obtained by The Herald.
The closure of Jackson South's labor ward, a key component of the public hospital system in Miami-Dade, responds to a wider trend across the United States of maternity wards being phased out. Various factors, such as costs, reimbursement rates, and declining birth rates, have been cited. The hospital aims to reposition its resources toward services with growing demand, such as cardiology and urology. Jackson South has seen a drop in births in comparison with other Miami-Dade hospitals, having delivered only 465 babies in 2024, which represents about 2% of the county's total births.
The majority of the maternity ward nurses at Jackson South have found alternative placements within the health system. According to an email from Palmer, "We're pleased that the majority of our team members have selected alternative roles in the health system," with just three nurses still awaiting reassignment. With many hospitals in the area downsizing their obstetric services, this development raises concerns over access to maternal health care, especially for Black and Hispanic communities at a higher risk of pregnancy complications. Edward Borrego, the CEO of Jackson South, said in his email to staff, that the hospital plans on converting the ward's "many semi-private patient rooms into private rooms, aligning with current market standards and ensuring an enhanced experience for our patients and their loved ones while in our care," as per Local10.
Prenatal, postpartum, and emergency care will continue to be available at Jackson South, but all deliveries will now have to occur elsewhere. Patients are directed towards Jackson North in North Miami-Dade or The Women’s Hospital at Jackson’s main Miami campus, both of which are authorized to accommodate the OB-GYNs from Jackson South. As for neonatal care, Jackson's main Miami campus houses the largest Level 4 NICU in the county. Nearby hospitals like Kendall's Baptist Hospital and South Miami Hospital, both part of Baptist Health South Florida, remain options for labor and delivery services.
