WHEATLAND, Wyo. (Sept. 15, 2025) – Banner Health today announced the pause of inpatient labor and delivery services at Banner Platte County Hospital, effective Oct. 15. This difficult decision follows extensive evaluation of physician recruitment challenges and the hospital's commitment to ensuring viable, quality care for patients.
The pause will impact:
- Labor and delivery services
- Well-newborn inpatient care
- Outpatient prenatal care
Platte County Hospital and the Wheatland and Guernsey clinics remain open for all other services and remain committed to serving the community and will continue providing essential health care services. The decision is driven by several industry-wide challenges facing rural hospitals including declining delivery volumes over several years and provider recruitment challenges. Banner Health remains strongly committed to recruiting full-time, qualified obstetric providers to rebuild a strong, high-quality obstetrical program.
"This is one of the most challenging decisions a small, rural hospital can face," said Sandy Dugger, chief executive officer of Banner Platte County Hospital. "This decision is not a reflection of our exceptional obstetric nurses or providers, who provide outstanding care and deeply care for our expectant mothers and newborns."
The Wheatland Banner Health Clinic stopped accepting new OB patients as of Sept. 15, while existing patients will be supported in transitioning to providers of their choice. Impacted patients will be contacted directly by hospital staff to discuss transition options and medical record transfers. Patients can call the clinic for assistance with their care transitions at 307-322-3861.
"While these changes are challenging, we are committed to our community and are making changes to this service line to best meet the community's needs,” said Dugger.
About Platte County Hospital
Platte County Hospital has provided medical excellence to the residents of Platte County since 1955. The hospital offers emergency care, inpatient services, cardiopulmonary care, inpatient and ambulatory surgery, laboratory and medical imaging and women’s care. It is operated by Banner Health, a nonprofit hospital and health care system with 33 hospitals in six states. For more information, visit bannerhealth.com/plattecounty.
For further information contact us at: [email protected]