Mercy Medical Center’s Family Life Center Temporary Suspension of Services

November 6, 2025

With patient safety and quality of care as our top priorities, the Family Life Center (FLC) at Mercy Medical Center will temporarily suspend maternity and newborn services on December 8, 2025. We have made this difficult decision due to significant provider and nurse staffing constraints that have persisted over several months despite concerted efforts to recruit and retain FLC clinical colleagues.

Our Certified Nurse Midwives, with physician collaboration, will continue to provide exceptional prenatal and postnatal care in our outpatient sites throughout Western Massachusetts. Thanks to a cooperative agreement with Baystate Health to preserve access to maternity and newborn services, we will support our patients and provide for hospital-based care, including triage and delivery services, at Baystate Medical Center. At the same time, we will continue to pursue all options to resume continuous, safe, high-quality maternity care at Mercy Medical Center.

We have been in contact with representatives of the Department of Public Health regarding these ongoing challenges and have followed the appropriate regulatory processes throughout.

Human Resources representatives are working with any impacted colleagues regarding available positions and other options during this time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Mercy Medical Center temporarily suspending maternity and newborn services?
Due to persistent staffing challenges involving providers and nurses, despite extensive recruitment efforts, Mercy Medical Center’s Family Life Center (FLC) will temporarily suspend maternity and newborn services starting on December 8, 2025.
When will maternity and newborn services be resumed?
We continue to pursue all options to resume continuous, high-quality maternity care at Mercy Medical Center. We are also exploring ways to provide care for women in new and enhanced ways.
Will prenatal and postnatal care still be available?
Yes. Our Certified Nurse Midwives, with physician collaboration, will continue to provide high-quality prenatal and postnatal care at outpatient sites in Western Massachusetts. Outpatient care for current patients will continue without interruption.
Where will patients receive hospital-based maternity care during the suspension?
Through a cooperative agreement with Baystate Health, our Certified Nurse Midwives will support our patients and provide for hospital-based care, including triage and delivery services, at Baystate Medical Center.
As a patient, how far apart are Baystate Medical Center and Mercy Medical Center?
Baystate Medical Center and Mercy Medical Center are less than 2 miles apart, which is about a 7-minute drive under normal traffic conditions.
Is Mercy Medical Center working with the Department of Public Health?
Yes. We have been in regular contact with the Department of Public Health and are following all required regulatory processes.
What support is available for affected staff members?
Human Resources is actively working with impacted colleagues to explore available positions and other employment options during this transition.
Is Trinity Health Of New England Medical Group continuing to accept new patients?
Yes, our Certified Nurse Midwives are continuing to accept new patients for obstetrical and gynecologic care.