Brown University Health officials say the Newport Hospital Birthing Center will remain open.
According to an internal memo from Brown, the center will not close, but there will be an evaluation of its long-term future in the next year.
Brown says a task force will be conducting a review of the labor and delivery services at Newport Hospital to assess a number of factors including quality, safety, access, and statewide impact.
Meantime, Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee and Attorney General Peter Neronha are reacting to news that the Newport Hospital Birthing Center will not be closing.
McKee says it is excellent news for a concerned community that prioritizes issues of women's health.
Neronha is thanking Brown Health for prioritizing the health care needs of Newport County by deciding to keep the center open.
He is also thanking those who have hosted community meetings, made calls and advocated for the center to remain open.
(Photo by JAMES ARTHUR GEKIERE/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)
Photo: JAMES ARTHUR GEKIERE / AFP / Getty Images