Providence is closing the inpatient pediatric unit at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, reducing options for children needing overnight, non-emergency care.
Hospital staff were notified Wednesday morning, and county health officials were informed the same day. Providence says the decision was made after careful consideration.
The closure leaves Sonoma County and the North Bay without a designated inpatient pediatric unit outside of Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa Medical Center, which generally serves members only. The hospital’s pediatric wing had eight licensed beds.
The Press Democrat first reported in September that the closure was likely, though Providence did not confirm it at the time.