Pediatric Units Close at Fountain Valley Hospital After UCI Health Lays Off 25 Nurses

UCI Health cut 150 workers across its system this week. In Fountain Valley, the casualties included the children's ward and the pediatric ICU.

UCI Health closed its pediatric care units at Fountain Valley Regional Hospital this week after laying off 25 registered nurses there as part of a systemwide restructuring. The closures eliminate both a general pediatric unit and a pediatric intensive care unit from one of the only hospitals serving families in central Orange County.

UCI Health closed the pediatric care units at Fountain Valley Regional Hospital this week after laying off 25 registered nurses there, according to the California Nurses Association.

The closures took out both the hospital's general pediatric unit and its pediatric intensive care unit — the specialized ward that handles critically ill or injured infants, children, and teenagers around the clock. Gone with it: care for kids with severe infections, breathing emergencies, traumatic injuries, and post-surgical recovery who live in central Orange County.

The Fountain Valley cuts are part of a broader restructuring UCI Health announced March 23, which resulted in roughly 150 layoffs across its system. UCI Health described the affected roles as mostly noncritical, operational, and administrative. The nurses union disputed that characterization.

Multiple unions, multiple hospitals

The California Nurses Association is the latest in a string of unions to come forward with layoff details. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299 said 44 of its members were cut, including respiratory therapists and patient care technicians, with another 260 employees facing reduced hours. The University and Professional Technical Employees-Communications Workers of America, Local 9119, said it was preparing an unfair labor practice complaint after 16 of its members were laid off and 81 others had their hours cut.

Separate from Fountain Valley, CNA said 10 per diem nurses were laid off at other UCI facilities, 10 were reassigned, and 129 contractual workers had their hours reduced.

The hospital was acquired two years ago

Fountain Valley Regional is one of four community hospitals UCI Health acquired from Tenet Healthcare in early 2024 for $975 million. The deal also brought in Lakewood Regional Medical Center, Los Alamitos Medical Center, and Placentia-Linda Hospital. The acquisition was meant to expand UCI Health's community footprint across Orange County.

Two years in, the pediatric floor is gone.

Part of a larger pattern

The Fountain Valley closures are the latest in a growing list of hospital service cuts across Southern California. Nearly 60 maternity wards have closed statewide since 2012, according to CalMatters, leaving low-income and minority communities disproportionately without nearby care. Planned Parenthood shut its Melody Health primary care practice last October after losing federal Medicaid funds. USC Verdugo Hills closed its maternal health unit in late 2024.

UCI Health cited federal funding changes affecting California's healthcare system as a factor in its restructuring decision.

A UCI Health spokesman was not available for comment at the time of publication.