MDI Hospital to Close Labor and Delivery Unit Effective July 1 [UPDATED]

MDI Hospital announced today that they will close its Labor and Delivery Unit effective July 1, 2025 citing a dramatic decline in births.

In 2024 there were 32 babies born at MDI Hospital and in 2025, there have been only 9 babies born at the Hospital January 1-March 26. With such low volumes, maintaining the specialized skills required for safe, high-quality obstetric care has become increasingly difficult.

Chrissi Maguire, the CEO and President of MDI Hospital said "This is deeply personal for me - I gave birth to both of my children here. We know how much this service has meant to our community. But we must adapt to ensure the continued strength of our hospital and the care we provide. This decision while painful, is necessary to ensure the sustainability healthcare services for all."

While the labor and delivery unit will close, MDI Hospital is working to ensure maternal health remains a top priority by

Emergency Department Expansion: A grant and donor-funded renovation will double the size of the Emergency Department. One of the new rooms will be equipped with labor and delivery equipment for emergency births on the Island.
Regional Partnerships: The hospital is coordinating with nearby facilities to ensure smooth transfers for deliveries.
Maintaining Expertise: Plans are in place for MDI Hospital’s emergency care staff to rotate through partner hospitals to maintain their labor and delivery competencies.
Women’s Health Patient Navigator: A new program under exploration would guide expectant mothers through prenatal, delivery, and postpartum care—offering personalized support and care coordination.

“We are committed to doing all we can to support mothers and families,” said Maguire. “With new supportive maternal health services, specialized emergency providers, and a unit ready for urgent deliveries, this difficult transition will not deter us from our mission to deliver compassionate, community-focused care.”

Below is the interview I conducted with Chrissi Maguire this morning.