PORT TOWNSEND — Expanded health care services for women, including abortion, will begin at Jefferson Healthcare hospital the week of June 27.
To access Jefferson Healthcare expanded women’s health services, clients will call a service number for evaluation and be referred to the appropriate clinic or hospital department.
The service number, 360-344-1000, will be live beginning the last week of June, said Kate Burke, marketing manager for the hospital at 834 Sheridan St.
“It is very important that Jefferson Healthcare remains committed to meeting the community needs in all service lines, including reproductive care,” Burke said.
The availability of the expanded services is well ahead of the initial late 2016 implementation schedule, she added.
The move was sparked by a February 2015 letter from the Seattle office of the American Civil Liberties Union that accused Jefferson Healthcare, a publicly owned hospital, of being in noncompliance with state law in its provision of abortion services.
The hospital formed an 11-member reproductive task force composed of physicians, nurses, health care professionals and community members. Hospital commissioners approved the task force’s recommendations June 15, 2015.
Since the commission’s approval, staff members have developed protocols and skills needed to augment current family planning services, and minor physical plant changes have been completed, Burke said.
In addition to Jefferson Healthcare, the ACLU cited Whidbey General Hospital in Coupeville and Mason General Hospital in Shelton.
At the same time, it filed a lawsuit alleging noncompliance against Skagit Valley Hospital.
Jefferson Healthcare is the only hospital that has responded, according to Doug Honig, ACLU of Washington communications director.
He added that oral arguments have been completed but there has been no ruling in the Skagit Valley lawsuit.
The Jefferson Healthcare services will include pregnancy options counseling and referrals, early miscarriage management, elective medical abortions up to nine weeks and elective surgical abortions up to 10 weeks.
There will be no central location for the services, which will be provided on an outpatient basis.
Those seeking services will call a centralized number to discuss their needs. After an evaluation, they will be channeled to the appropriate provider for those services, according to Burke.
The services could be provided in a clinic or within the hospital, Burke said.
The requirement of an initial referral call and the distribution of services in several facilities will provide greater patient privacy and security, she said.
“These services are very personal,” Burke said.
“This has been a very diligent process.
“We make sure that it will make sure that all the patients are safe and secure.”
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
