Common Council urges Ascension St. Francis to reconsider closure of labor and delivery unit

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Milwaukee Common Council is unanimously urging Ascension St. Francis to reconsider its closure of the hospital's labor and delivery unit. 

That announcement from the hospital came just before Christmas last year. 

Following Tuesday's Common Council meeting, a coalition of groups supporting the resolution held a news conference. 

There, they highlighted the impact on jobs and health care on the city's south side.

"Ascension needs to protect and work with our community, including our union, not only on the south side but also across the city, to preserve and improve the services not just at St. Francis, but for every hospital that they have in our city and across our state," said Connie Smith, president of the Wisconsin Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals. "Shame on Ascension."

An Ascension Wisconsin spokesperson released the following statement Tuesday:

"Ascension Wisconsin appreciates the engagement by the Milwaukee Common Council, and we are focused on our continued commitment to providing high-quality, personalized healthcare to the people of Milwaukee. While Ascension St. Francis Hospital ceased delivering babies in December 2022, the hospital continues to care for mothers and babies leading up to and after childbirth which is critical to the health of mothers and infants. In addition, we are delivering on our commitment to preserve and strengthen labor and delivery services at Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital - Milwaukee Campus."