MetroWest Medical Center Seeks To Close Pediatric Unit By End of 2020

FRAMINGHAM – MetroWest Medical Center, owned by Tenet Healthcare, plans to close its pediatric unit at Framingham Union Hospital by the end of 2020.

The MetroWest Medical Center announced earlier that it will in Natick and transfer all emergency and acute care to Framingham Union, later this year. MetroWest Medical Center plans to transform the Natick hospital to a behavioral health center.

Medical Medical center Chief Executive Officer Andrew Harding, in a letter, wrote low patient volume is the reason to end pedtriatic services.

“This was a decision that we did not take lightly,” Harding’s wrote.

Pediatric emergency care, neonatal, and obstetrical services will still be provided at Framingham Union Hospital. according to the letter.

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“We invest our resources and tailor our services in a way that best meets the needs of our patients. As the need for our current pediatric services is limited, we concluded that the closure of the unit is the best path forward, and we will work to help transition pediatric patients in need of specialized services to other nearby facilities,” wrote Harding.

““MetroWest Medical Center has a strong legacy of delivering high quality, compassionate care. Like all hospitals, we regularly assess the services we offer to ensure our resources are properly allocated to meet our patients’ and community’s pressing healthcare needs. As the need for our pediatric services is limited, we have decided to close our inpatient pediatric unit. We continue to offer pediatric emergency care, neonatal services and obstetrical services, and we will transition pediatric patients in need of specialized services to nearby facilities,” said the Center to SOURCE in a statement.

MetroWest Medical center is owned by Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare.

MetroWest Medical center plan to file the 90-day closure notice with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health in August.

A public hearing will be required as part of the closure process.

MetroWest Medical Center is one of the largest employers in Framingham.

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