Sète Maternity Services to Merge in Response to Declining Birth Rate – A ‘Wise Decision’ for the Future
Sète, France – In a move reflecting a nationwide trend, the Sainte-Thérèse polyclinic and Saint-Clair hospital in Sète are set to merge their maternity services this summer. This urgent decision, validated by the Regional Health Agency (ARS) and the Court of Auditors, aims to safeguard the long-term viability of maternity care in the region amidst a significant drop in births. This is breaking news for families in the area, and a signal of the challenges facing healthcare systems across Europe.
Consolidation for Sustainability: A Response to Demographic Shifts
The merger, slated for July 1st, 2026, will see all deliveries taking place at the Saint-Clair hospital, which boasts a Level 2A neonatology department equipped to handle premature births from 33 weeks or weighing over 1.8 kg. The decision isn’t about cutting services, but about strengthening them, according to Amandine Papin, director of the Thau Basin Hospitals. “The challenge is to strengthen and guarantee over the long term a local maternity offer in the context of the decline in the birth rate and to join forces to strengthen the influence of the offer,” she explained.
The numbers tell a stark story. Birth rates in Sète have fallen from 1,200 in 2000 to a projected 870 in 2025. Specifically, Sainte-Thérèse recorded 491 births in 2023, declining to 470 this year, while Saint-Clair saw a drop from 485 in 2023 to 414 to date in 2025. This decline has pushed both institutions below the 1,000 birth threshold recommended by the Court of Auditors for sustainable operation.
No Disruption to Care: Obstetricians to Maintain Local Presence
Local families can breathe a little easier knowing that patient care won’t be disrupted. Obstetricians from Sainte-Thérèse will become part-time hospital practitioners at Saint-Clair, continuing surgical activities at the polyclinic and participating in the hospital’s on-call rotation. Crucially, they will also begin consulting at the hospital one day a week, particularly during the final month of pregnancy, allowing expectant mothers to familiarize themselves with the facility before their due date. This proactive approach aims to ease anxieties and ensure a smooth transition.
A History of Maternity Care in Sète: From Villas to Modern Facilities
The consolidation marks a significant turning point in the history of maternity care in Sète. The story began in 1948 with the inauguration of the Corniche clinic in a spacious villa, followed by the creation of a birth center in 1952. Simultaneously, the Saint-Clair clinic opened its doors within the Sète hospital. Over the decades, both facilities underwent relocations and expansions, culminating in the 1996 opening of the Sainte-Thérèse polyclinic. As Dr. François Commeinhes famously quipped during his mayoral campaign in 2001, he had “given birth to half of the Sétoises” – a testament to the deep roots of these institutions within the community.
Economic Realities and the Future of Regional Healthcare
The merger isn’t simply a logistical adjustment; it’s a response to economic realities. “A small maternity ward, all the more private, carrying out 500 deliveries per year, is no longer profitable if we want to comply with regulatory obligations,” explains Dr. Frantz Bousquet, an obstetrician-gynecologist at Sainte-Thérèse. He emphasizes the need for modern equipment and highly trained staff to maintain a high standard of care. The modernization of the Thau Basin Hospitals maternity ward, facilitated by this merger, is a key component of ensuring that Sète can continue to offer comprehensive maternity services.
This consolidation in Sète is a microcosm of a larger trend impacting healthcare systems globally. Declining birth rates, coupled with rising operational costs, are forcing difficult decisions about resource allocation and service delivery. The ARS’s validation and the hospital’s commitment to maintaining a strong local presence offer a hopeful model for other regions facing similar challenges. Stay tuned to archyde.com for ongoing coverage of this developing story and the broader implications for healthcare in France and beyond.
