REDMOND, OR -- St. Charles Health System officials have set a date for the official closing of Redmond's family birthing center: July 13. C-sections will be scheduled at the Redmond hospital through July 10 and laboring mothers will be admitted up until 12:01 a.m. July 12, to ensure time for delivery and recovery prior to the shutdown.

St. Charles decided last fall to close the department, amid protests from families, nurses and Redmond's City Council.  The health system says a new OB hospitalist program is getting going in Bend and officials believe birthing centers in Bend and Madras will be able to provide all necessary services to Redmond-area families.