Texas Tech Health Sciences Center Responds to Concerns About OB-GYN Care in West Texas
If you've tried finding a new doctor lately, you probably don't need anyone to tell you that getting an appointment can sometimes be a challenge.
When it comes to maternity care in West Texas, that challenge is even bigger.
Now, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and Texas Tech Physicians are responding to recent public comments about obstetric care and the availability of providers in our area, saying some of the claims being made about their practice are inaccurate.
TTUHSC Says Two Doctors Were Not Texas Tech Physicians Employees
In a statement, TTUHSC specifically addressed what it called “inaccurate characterizations” involving Texas Tech Physicians and its obstetrics practice.
One important clarification from the university: Texas Tech Physicians says it did not employ the two physicians referenced in those recent public comments.
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The statement provided no additional details about the physicians or the specific comments being disputed.
Instead, TTUHSC says its focus remains on expanding access to women's healthcare throughout West Texas.
West Texas Has a Maternity Care Provider Shortage
The bigger issue is one that extends well beyond any single physician or medical practice.
According to TTUHSC, West Texas is facing a shortage of maternity care providers, making the recruitment and retention of physicians particularly important for the region.
Texas Tech Physicians currently has 24 general obstetricians, including 12 in Lubbock, who are accepting new patients.
Those physicians work alongside hospital-based laborists, maternal-fetal medicine specialists, nurse practitioners and advanced practice registered nurses.
That's an important number for Lubbock-area women who may currently be searching for an OB-GYN.
Texas Tech Offers More Than Pregnancy Care
Texas Tech Physicians says its women's health services cover patients throughout different stages of life, rather than focusing solely on pregnancy and childbirth.
Services include preventive and routine gynecologic care, pregnancy and delivery services and inpatient care.
Specialty services include maternal-fetal medicine, urogynecology, gynecologic oncology, menopause management, fertility care and reproductive health services.
As the region's academic health center, TTUHSC says it is also continuing to train future physicians and recruit additional providers to West Texas.
Texas Tech Says It's Working on Appointment Availability
Of course, having doctors available doesn't mean much if patients can't get in to see them.
TTUHSC says it is actively working to meet scheduling needs and improve appointment availability, with the goal of providing patients with timely care.
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For Lubbock residents looking for an OB-GYN or additional information about available women's health services through Texas Tech Physicians, the number to call is 806-743-2669.
The shortage of maternity care providers isn't exactly the kind of problem West Texas can fix overnight.
But with 12 general obstetricians in Lubbock currently accepting new patients, Texas Tech wants women in our area to know that care is available...and that expanding access remains a priority.
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