Community Regional Medical Center and Clovis Community Medical Center will begin phasing out pediatric specialty care services over the next six months. This decision, announced by Community Health System, allows for a stronger focus on adult services while addressing significant financial challenges faced by the hospitals.
In response to the growing demand for pediatric care, Valley Children’s Hospital is increasing its clinic space at Community Regional Medical Center. Beginning early next year, Valley Children’s will offer pediatric outpatient services in downtown Fresno. This collaboration aims to ensure that families maintain access to quality pediatric care during this transition.
According to Valley Children’s spokesperson, Zara Arboleda, the organization is committed to supporting families and primary care physicians affected by the discontinuation of pediatric outpatient clinics at Community Health System. “We are working closely with impacted families and their primary care physicians who want to move their child’s care to Valley Children’s as Community Health System transitions away from operating its pediatric outpatient clinics,” Arboleda stated.
The transition is significant for the Central Valley, which depends on specialized pediatric services. Valley Children’s operates both tertiary and quaternary care, equipped to manage serious and rare pediatric conditions. The hospital will engage with parents to facilitate the transfer of care and ensure continuity for existing patients.
The decision by Community Health System to step back from pediatric services is driven by financial constraints, including cuts in federal and state healthcare funding. In a statement, Danny Davis, division president of hospitals at Community Health System, emphasized the need to reevaluate the services offered. “We constantly evaluate the mix of individuals we serve, patient care trends, and community health needs to help us determine how we can best invest in high-priority healthcare services in our community,” Davis explained.
He acknowledged the availability of other providers in the Valley as a crucial factor in this decision. “The health of the children of the Central Valley continues to be important to us, but as we considered the healthcare landscape, we saw capacity for other providers to support this patient population,” he added.
This transition will not only impact pediatric patients but also the personnel involved. Community Health System has indicated that 18 clinicians and 44 team members affected by the sunsetting of the programs will have opportunities to transfer to other providers or positions within the system, according to ABC30.
As the landscape of pediatric care evolves in Central Valley, both Valley Children’s Hospital and Community Health System are working to ensure that children continue to receive the specialized care they need. The collaboration between these healthcare entities aims to create a seamless transition for families navigating this change.