What upcoming closure of Manteca obstetrics unit means for DMC Modesto, other hospitals

Some women who expected to deliver their babies at Doctors Hospital in Manteca have had their plans changed. A corporate decision to close that hospital’s obstetrics unit means those births will be diverted to Doctors Medical Center in Modesto and two other hospitals in San Joaquin County.

The labor and delivery unit at Doctors Manteca will be discontinued effective July 24.

The decision is expected to affect an unknown number of patients from Manteca to Mountain House to Patterson in western Stanislaus County.

Krista Deans, a spokeswoman for Doctors Manteca and other hospitals owned by Tenet Healthcare in Northern California, released a statement Monday explaining the decision to close labor and delivery in Manteca. The equivalent of 21 full-time employee positions are affected.

“We regularly evaluate the services we offer to ensure our resources are properly allocated to meet the healthcare needs of our community,” Tenet’s statement said. “After careful consideration, we have decided to consolidate our labor and delivery services into the existing, high-quality programs offered at our nearby sister facilities.”

Doctors Manteca will keep providing women’s health services such as gynecology, women’s imaging and surgery for breast cancer.

Tenet Healthcare, which owns Doctors Manteca and Doctors Medical Center in Modesto, did not say how many births will be diverted to other hospitals when the Manteca unit closes. Tenet also owns Emanuel Medical Center in Turlock.

After the unit closes July 24, some expectant mothers will deliver at Doctors Medical Center in Modesto, which is 22 miles away. Affected patients also are being referred to San Joaquin General Hospital in French Camp and St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Stockton. Most insurance plans are accepted at Doctors Modesto and the two other hospitals.

Patients are being advised to discuss insurance and other questions with the hospitals. The Manteca hospital’s human resources unit is trying to help affected employees find other positions with the hospital or sister facilities.

Doctors Hospital in Manteca saw its first new arrival two days after it opened in 1962, and a fully equipped birthing center was added in 1985. In September, the 73-bed hospital announced it had received the 2021 Honor Roll Award for maternity care from the California Health and Human Services Agency.

“We are grateful to the obstetrics department staff and physicians for their continued commitment to our patients,” Tenet’s statement said.