Pediatric unit inside Bel Air medical center to close in May

The University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Medical Center in Bel Air plans to close its pediatric inpatient unit in May because of low admissions, officials say.

Hospital officials confirmed the closure Monday, saying that after May 7, pediatric patients seeking admission at the Upper Chesapeake Bel Air will be admitted to the center’s emergency department or transferred to a nearby children’s hospital “to ensure they receive specialized care.”

Shena Matsos of the University of Maryland Medical System’s communications team said Upper Chesapeake Bel Air will continue to provide “the highest-quality emergency, outpatient and specialty pediatric services locally,” meaning children will still receive emergency care and have access to specialized pediatric services, just through a different department.

“The only change is that pediatric patients requiring in-patient care will be transferred to a children’s hospital,” Matos said.

The change stems from what Metos said has been a substantial decrease in the number of pediatric patients at the medical center. She said on many days, there aren’t any pediatric patients receiving inpatient care at Upper Chesapeake Bel Air.

Metos said the closure does not have a connection with federal budget cuts or state budget constraints.

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