Facing Declining Birth Rates and Gynecologist Shortages

The Center Hospitalier Régional Sambre et Meuse (CHRSM) is embarking on a significant restructuring of its mother-child services,primarily affecting the Auvelais maternity unit. This decision, announced in a recent statement, comes in response to a sustained decrease in deliveries and ongoing challenges in recruiting and retaining gynecologists. These factors, coupled with evolving quality and safety standards, have prompted a re-evaluation of the current model.

Across Europe, birth rates have been steadily declining. According to recent Eurostat data, the EU’s crude birth rate has fallen from 10.6 per 1,000 inhabitants in 2000 to 9.1 in 2022. This demographic shift, combined with the increasing preference of younger gynecologists for larger, better-equipped facilities, has placed considerable strain on smaller maternity units like Auvelais.

meeting Evolving Standards: The Need for Consolidation

Stringent regulatory requirements are also playing a crucial role in this change. Current legislation mandates that maternity units perform a minimum of 400 deliveries annually. Auvelais has consistently fallen short of this threshold,recording 313 deliveries in 2024 and 316 in 2023. With expectations for this minimum to increase further, maintaining the status quo is no longer viable.

This leads us, for reasons of responsibility, to rethink the organization around birth.

CHRSM Press Release

A Coherent Care Journey: The Vision for the Future

The CHRSM envisions a restructured system centered around the Sambre site, creating a thorough and coordinated care pathway for expectant mothers and newborns. This includes strengthening prenatal and postnatal care services, such as consultations with midwives and gynecologists, and birth planning programs, all delivered locally.

The hospital emphasizes that Auvelais will benefit from targeted and sustained investments to support this new model. The goal is to transform Auvelais into a key player in women’s and children’s health within the region.

Let us build a sustainable and promising project for the Sambre site, which will be at the heart of this new model of care to become a key player in the health of women, mothers and children. To do this,Auvelais will benefit from targeted and sustainable investments. This project is a promise for the future for Auvelais, an prospect for positive transformation.

CHRSM Press release

Addressing Concerns: Job Security and Patient Care

The CHRSM has sought to allay concerns regarding job security, assuring staff that no job losses are anticipated as a result of this restructuring. the hospital is committed to working collaboratively with doctors,midwives,and union representatives to ensure the stability,recognition,and professional advancement of all personnel.

Furthermore, the hospital has affirmed that current patient care will not be disrupted. Pregnancy follow-ups will continue as planned, and any future modifications will be communicated directly to affected patients.

We confirm that no job removal is envisaged within the framework of this project. Everyone’s professional future is a priority and solutions will be constructed collectively to guarantee the stability, recognition and evolution of staff members. No care is currently modified and the follow -ups of the pregnancies will be insured. If there should be a modification,the patients concerned will be informed by the hospital.

CHRSM Press Release