HARRISONBURG, Va. (ROCKTOWN NOW) – Earlier this month, Sentara RMH officials announced that they were closing the hospital’s pediatric admissions at the end of this month.

According to a news release from Sentara RMH Friday afternoon, the inpatient pediatric unit will close on Sept. 30. Spokesperson Bob Grebe explained that a national shortage of pediatric hospitalists and low patient volume have prompted the impending closure, as fewer than two patients on average were being treated in the unit.

Grebe pointed out, however, that decision does not mean the end of pediatric care at Sentara RMH.

“Nearly all of the pediatric patients we provide care for are treated as outpatients in our Emergency Department, and we will continue to do so,” Grebe said. “Moving forward, patients who need inpatient care will be transferred to a facility with specialized pediatric services. Sentara RMH Medical Center is committed to working closely with these partner hospitals to provide support and resources to help facilitate the transfer process and ensure a seamless transition for patients and their families.”

The announcement earlier this month did not sit well with Harrisonburg State Senator Mark Obenshain, who published a letter on Thursday to Sentara RMH President and CEO Doug Moyer expressing his disappointment with the decision.

Obenshain said he and a lot of families in the valley would love to see this decision reversed.

“You know, there’s got to be a better way,” Obenshain said. “If they are having difficulty filling 10 beds at Sentara [RMH], maybe they can cut the number of beds that they have. But pediatric admissions is, I believe, a really essential service.”

Obenshain he has discussed the situation with Moyer and encourages folks in the community to let contact the hospital and let their feelings and opinions be known.

The full letter can be read at this link.