Laird Hospital to suspend OB services

Laird Memorial Hospital's administrator this morning confirmed that it is closing its labor and delivery unit.

"We will be suspending nonemergency OB (obstetrical) services effective September 10," Bob Ellzey said today.

Ellzey was told over the weekend that the only dedicated obstetrical and gynocological clinic in Kilgore is moving to Longview.

Woods OB/GYN will operate here until September 9.

Hospital nurses and support staff were told of the pending closure in an informal meeting Monday, according to one nurse's report.

Including support personnel, labor and delivery is staffed by 15 persons.

"Doctors John and Teresa Wood Have given me notice of their plans to leave Kilgore and join the staff of Good Shepherd Medical Center, effective September 10," Bob Ellzey, LMH hospital administrator, said.

"That is what I know and that is all I can say right now. We are reviewing things in light of that announcement and planning accordingly."

As late as yesterday afternoon, Ellzey said the hospital has been actively recruiting doctors for some time but that he could not confirm or deny that the Women's Center would be closed.

He said this morning the hospital is contuing its recruiting effort.

Trinity Mother Frances Hospital operates the primary labor and delivery unit in Tyler and is a partner here in Laird Memorial.

Despite their labor and delivery practice in Tyler, Mother Frances likely will not be involved in the effort to keep the unit operating here.

"They are a very good partner for us," Ellzey said. "But our markets are different and I don't think they can do much to help in this situation."

About 80 percent of the births at Laird are paid for by Medicaid, a much higher than average percentage. However, said Ellzey, that level of Medicaid funding did not drive the Woods' decision to relocate.