Newton Clinic is asking their obstetric patients who expect to deliver after October 15th to continue their scheduled prenatal care appointments. Newton Clinic Administrator Mark Thayer says the appointments allow for discussions about the patient’s care and options for delivery. This follows the August 30th announcement the Clinic will no longer pursue recruitment of physicians dedicated to obstetrics for labor and delivery services, due to a decade of significant recruitment and physician workforce challenges. That decision prompted the Clinic’s maternal care partner, MercyOne Newton Medical Center, to implement an indefinite pause in labor and delivery services after October 15th. Chad Kelley, Chief Operating Officer for MercyOne Newton Medical Center, says the hospital will investigate other care models and options to provide obstetric care. He adds MercyOne Newton does not directly employ any physicians but relies on partnering medical groups for physician staffing. He says nurses employed in the labor and delivery department at MercyOne Newton Medical Center will be offered continued employment in other open nursing positions and departments. According to Thayer, Newton Clinic is reaching out to their patients expecting to deliver after October 15 to transition them to another birthing facility and/or provider. Mothers scheduled to deliver prior to October 15th can still deliver in Newton at MercyOne.