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Martin County approves lease amendment allowing Martin General Hospital to end inpatient obstetrics
Summary
After public comments urging retention of services, the Martin County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved an amendment to the county’s hospital lease that permits Martin General Hospital to discontinue inpatient obstetrical services; the hospital will continue other women’s health services.
Martin County commissioners on Sept. 11 unanimously approved an amendment to the county’s lease with Community Health Systems that will allow Martin General Hospital to discontinue inpatient obstetrics.
During public comment at the start of the meeting, several residents urged the Board to oppose the change. Vickey Manning of Williamston warned of risks to pregnant women and infants if the hospital stops delivering babies, concluding, “It’s a sad day in Martin County.” Tami Spence said she believed the decision had been made “in secret, behind closed doors,” and warned of increased preterm births, delays in prenatal care and higher infant mortality if services end.
County Manager David Bone told the Board that hospital services and rural health care are changing and that local deliveries at Martin General Hospital have declined substantially over the past decade. He noted Martin County owns the hospital buildings and that the proposed lease amendment would permit the hospital to eliminate obstetrical services while continuing outpatient and inpatient gynecological care, mammography and breast biopsy services. Roanoke Women’s Health Clinic will continue to provide women’s health services in the area, Bone said.
Commissioner Joe R. Ayers moved to approve the lease amendment; Vice Chairman Dempsey Bond Jr. seconded. The motion passed unanimously (5-0). The transcript records no further conditions or follow-up tasks tied to the approval.
The decision was procedural and contractual; the Board did not announce additional county actions to replace inpatient obstetrical care or to fund alternative maternal health services at the meeting.
