Merrimack Health is committed to meeting the needs of our families today and in the future. Together, we are building on our long histories of providing trusted maternity care in the community. By bringing together our experienced clinical teams with deep local roots, we are strengthening care and services to better meet the changing needs of patients and families.
What is changing?
Merrimack Health is unifying the strengths of two trusted maternity programs into a single center of exceptional care for our communities to ensure maternity care remains in the community.
Birth rates across the state continue to decline, yet access to high-quality maternity care is needed in the region. Historically, our hospitals — Lawrence Hospital and Methuen Hospital — competed for maternity services, even though they are less than two miles apart. This allows us to deliver a more seamless experience for mothers, babies and families and allows for greater collaboration among care givers on behalf of patients.
What is not changing?
Access to high-quality maternity and neonatology care in the community. Obstetricians at both Methuen Hospital and Lawrence Hospital are part of the same medical staff and have the same privileges to deliver care at both hospitals. Also, our hospitals are on the same medical record system. Care providers will be working closely with patients to ensure that there is little to no disruption in your care throughout your pregnancy and at time of delivery.
FAQs
Our request to unify services must go through a comprehensive public review process with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, and no changes will take effect before that process is complete. Once that process is complete, we expect that transition of services to occur on August 1, 2026. Our care team will keep you informed if anything changes.
If your due date is before or near August 1, 2026, you should plan to deliver at the hospital that you and your obstetrician have discussed and agreed upon.
All patients will continue to receive the high level of comprehensive care at Lawrence Hospital that they have come to expect from Merrimack Health. We are bringing together the clinical expertise and services of two trusted programs, including experienced specialists who care for high-risk pregnancies. Your care team will work closely with you to ensure you receive the specialized support and attention you need throughout your pregnancy and at time of delivery.
Yes. Lawrence Hospital also has a Special Care Nursery for newborns who need additional support at the time of delivery. Neonatal clinical care at both Lawrence Hospital and Methuen Hospital has been provided by neonatologists from Tufts Medical Center, and that will continue. This means the same high level of specialized newborn care families receive today will be available at one location.
The decision to consolidate maternity care to Lawrence Hospital came after a detailed evaluation led by physicians and supported by clinical and operational leaders, with input from the community. The evaluation concluded that Lawrence Hospital has the capacity and supporting services to accommodate a consolidated service — including its Level III Trauma Center. This is a significant clinical capability that cannot be replicated at Methuen Hospital and ensures that mothers do not need to be transported between hospitals during high-acuity, high-stress situations.
Methuen Hospital’s emergency department, like all emergency departments, is prepared to care for women who arrive in labor. If it is safe to do so, the patient will be transferred to Lawrence Hospital.
All current and potential patients are encouraged to tour Lawrence Hospital’s maternity unit. This provides an opportunity to see the facilities and ask your questions directly. Tour information is available on the Lawrence Hospital website or calling 978-683-4000 ext. 6314.
More information will be provided to all patients as they approach their delivery dates. It will be clearly communicated as to where to go at Lawrence Hospital, including what the parking options are and how to proceed.
Please continue to check these website pages for updated information. In addition, our care teams will keep you informed.
MeVa provides fare-free bus service to 16 cities and towns including the three Gateway Cities of Lawrence, Methuen, and Haverhill, as well as service outside of MeVa’s catchment area to Lowell and limited service to Boston hospitals. MeVa offers a direct route between Lawrence Hospital and Methuen Hospital locations, for a 10-15-minute ride door-to-door between the two locations. All hospital sites, as well as area Health Centers, can be accessed through the MeVa buses. Maps and schedules, as well as the route planner tool, can be found on the MeVa website: www.mevatransit.com
