The Newport City Council is sending a loud message to Brown University Health: keep the Newport Hospital maternity ward open.
At Tuesday night's meeting, City Council unanimously passed a resolution urging the hospital to keep the Noreen Stonor Drexel Birthing Center open.
The council said closing the ward would cause a hardship for expectant mothers and for first responders.
A statement from Newport Hospital said "we are currently considering difficult decisions across Brown University Health to stabilize our financial position for a sustainable healthcare system."
There have been reports that Brown University Health is considering closing the maternity ward, but the statement said no decisions have been made at this time.
(Photo by PASCAL POCHARD-CASABIANCA/AFP via Getty Images)
Photo: PASCAL POCHARD-CASABIANCA / AFP / Getty Images