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North Bay maternity, pediatric wards closing
By Times staff writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published July 7, 2000
NEW PORT RICHEY -- North Bay Hospital announced Thursday it will close its maternity and pediatric wards, citing a declining number of patients seeking those services.
The wards will close on Aug. 1. While about 750 mothers gave birth at North Bay in 1999, the hospital expected only half that number this year. It faces competition from neighboring Community Hospital of New Port Richey, which opened a maternity ward in September.
Moreover, said hospital administrator Bill Jennings, more than 65 percent of Pasco mothers choose to give birth in other counties. "It just doesn't make sense to keep the service open," he said.
On average, he added, the pediatric ward has only been drawing one patient every other day, a number Jennings calls "alarmingly small."
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