A hospital in the Inland Empire announced Friday that it will be cutting services to its maternity unit next year following a decline in the number of births.
Corona Regional Medical Center officials declined to comment to NBC4 about the announcement, but the closure of the maternity unit was published on its website.
According to their social media page, the closure is scheduled for Jan. 30, 2026, and the last patient will be seen on the 23rd of that month.
Hospital officials report that the closure is due to a decline in the number of births in recent years, which they say will continue to decline. They did not disclose data on the number of births in recent years.
The number of workers in the unit is unknown at this time, but according to the hospital, each will have to apply for another position there or at the other hospital owned by the same company in Murrieta, which is 3.5 miles away.
For those mothers expecting to give birth, the hospital says they have already been informed by their doctors about their options.
This is the third hospital to close such a department in recent years. In 2024, Hemet Medical Center closed its maternity unit, and San Dimas Community Hospital closed its unit the year before.
Here are some options for mothers about to give birth:
- Pomona Valley Medical Center in Pomona
- Parkview Community Hospital in Riverside
- Riverside Community Hospital in Riverside
With the closure of the maternity unit, the hospital reports that it will use the space for its emergency services, minimize wait times, and increase the number of beds for patients.
Source: NBC Los Angeles