UMass Memorial Well being will shut down the inpatient maternity ward at its Leominster campus within the fall, a hospital official stated, a transfer that drew swift condemnation by state legislators who signify the area and plan to protest subsequent week.

Citing “industry-wide workforce shortages” and “the steadily declining variety of births in North Central Massachusetts,” UMass Memorial Well being Alliance-Clinton Hospital President Steve Roach stated the hospital has notified the state Division of Public Well being that it intends to shut the birthing unit on Sept. 22. The plan should be authorized by regulators.

“This was an particularly tough determination for our well being system, as our compassionate caregivers have helped hundreds of oldsters and households navigate the birthing journey and welcome new family members into their lives for thus many many years,” Roach stated in an announcement.

Roach stated the staffing scarcity has “exacerbated the challenges of totally staffing our maternity inpatient unit constantly … regardless of our persistent makes an attempt to recruit and retain clinicians on this area.” And the declining beginning fee, he stated, “has a big influence on our unit’s future capability to supply labor and supply care to our sufferers.”

Members of the state delegation representing Leominster and the encircling area have been united of their response to the announcement Friday morning. A rally to cease the closure is scheduled for Tuesday at 6 p.m. on the hospital.

State Senator John J. Cronin, a Lunenburg Democrat, blasted the hospital’s determination to shut the unit, calling the transfer “an unjustified determination” that places the well being of moms and their newborns in danger.

“This may lead to our most marginalized households with out entry to dependable transportation pressured to ship infants within the overcrowded Leominster emergency division or on the facet of the freeway on their approach to Gardner or Worcester,” Cronin stated in an announcement posted on his Fb web page.

“Over the previous decade, North Central has endured UMass Memorial’s closure of the psychological well being and pressing care middle at Burbank Hospital in Fitchburg, endoscopy and ambulatory providers from Clinton, cardiac and pulmonary rehab and inpatient pediatric unit in Leominster. Sufficient is sufficient.”

The assertion was additionally shared on social media by Representatives Natalie Higgins, Meg Kilcoyne, and Mike Kushmerek.

Members of the state delegation representing Leominster and the encircling area have been united of their response to the announcement Friday morning. A rally to cease the closure is scheduled for Tuesday at 6 p.m. on the hospital.

Nick Stoico will be reached at nick.stoico@globe.com. Observe him on Twitter @NickStoico.