Growth of Specialty Services at Duke Health Raleigh Hospital

Duke Health Raleigh Hospital (DHRH) is committed to providing the very best and highest quality services to our patients. An important part of this commitment is the growth and development of services that reflect the changing needs of our community. During the past few months the Duke University Health System and DHRH hospital leadership has conducted research with the goal of defining clear priorities for programs that will add value to care in Wake County.

The areas of inpatient and ambulatory focus that have been identified are 1) cancer care, 2) cardiovascular medicine, 3) musculoskeletal services, and 4) high level specialty services for women and children. These services have been under discussion with the medical staff as over the last year during the hospitals’ long range planning process.

The results of this analysis are clear – DHRH must direct its resources to support the identified program priorities and focus growth efforts on medical resources that are not already adequately provided in the community. We also recognize that the two Obstetrical groups that use our facility have a need to do their own long range planning based on the potential future direction of the childbirth program at DHRH. Together, we have decided, therefore, to phase out general OB services at DHRH and to work with our physician groups on an appropriate timeline that meets physician, patient and staff needs.

“Though the decision was difficult to reach, we are confident that it will create more opportunity for the Duke Health System to serve the citizens of Wake County”, said CEO, Jim Knight. “As a Health System, we will direct our efforts and resources on providing an exceptional level of care in core clinical areas such as cancer, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and select women’s subspecialty programs such as gyn-oncology, uro-gynecology, cardiology services for women, imaging services, reproductive endocrinology (fertility) and maternal fetal medicine (high risk pregnancy care)”, he said.

As the Childbirth Center nears closure, DHRH is working with patients, physicians and employees to best meet their needs during this transition. If you have any questions about the discontinuation of obstetrical services at DHRH, please contact Carla Hollis at 919-954-3257.

Duke Health Raleigh Hospital a part of the Duke University Health System, is a 186-bed acute-care facility on Wake Forest Road in North Raleigh. DHRH’s range of services includes a 24-hour emergency department, intensive and critical care, cardiovascular center, cancer center, musculoskeletal center, diabetes center, wellness services and community education.