Virginia Mason Medical Center to close downtown Seattle birth center

The Washington State Nurses Association, which represents nurses at Virginia Mason Medical Center, said after the announcement that its members were in the process of evaluating the hospital’s decision and “next steps.”

“WSNA is concerned with the impact on the community and how the closing of the birthing center will affect expecting families,” the state nurses union said in a statement. “The hospital has expressed its hope that these families will be able to seek care elsewhere, but it is clear that there is no real plan.”