LAVONIA, Ga. - St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital in Lavonia will close its labor and delivery unit next month, consolidating maternity services at its main hospital in Athens as part of a restructuring driven by financial and staffing pressures.

What we know:

Hospital officials said the change will take effect in late October and follows an 18-month review of physician shortages, shifting demographics and "recent Congressional cuts to Medicaid." The system will also discontinue care at Clear Creek OB/GYN in Lavonia.

Patients have been notified and will be supported through the transition, hospital officials said. St. Mary’s Family Birth Center in Athens offers a Level II neonatal intensive care unit, a dedicated C-section suite and lactation support.

The Lavonia hospital will continue

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