Lancaster Neonatal Care Unit to Open in October
The new three-bed unit allows infants born at 32 weeks or later to receive specialized care closer to home.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Babies
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Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center will open a new three-bed level II neonatal intensive care unit in East Hempfield Township on October 31, 2026. This addition allows babies born at 32 weeks gestation or later to receive specialized care locally instead of being transferred to Hershey.
Why it matters
Localizing care for infants needing specialized support helps keep families together, as the unit enables parents to remain with their newborns 24/7. Previously, approximately 6 to 10 babies per month were transferred away from the area to receive this level of care.
The hospital expansion includes three new beds, serving roughly 8% to 10% of infants born at the center who require level II neonatal intensive care. It remains unknown how fluctuations in monthly birth volume will impact bed availability during peak periods.
The players
Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center
A medical facility in East Hempfield Township providing regional specialized infant care.
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
A larger regional hospital that previously managed transferred infants from the Lancaster area.
The details
The $4.5 million unit is designed to support babies born at 32 weeks gestation or later, often weighing around 3.5 pounds. The facility includes a specialized negative pressure isolation room to trap airborne pathogens and provides medical-grade refrigeration for breast milk. Each room features sleeper chairs and natural lighting to assist infants with healthy sleep development.
Timeline
The new neonatal unit opens on October 31, 2026.
Monthly transfers of babies needing level II care have been tracked since March 2026.
Health Landscape
The expansion follows a broader movement within the Penn State Health neonatal care network to localize specialized infant services. This approach marks a shift from centralized regional hubs toward community-based care centers that reduce travel burdens for families.
If you are pregnant and planning to deliver at this facility, discuss the availability of the new level II unit with your obstetrician during your next prenatal visit. This unit is specifically for babies born at 32 weeks gestation or later who require intensive monitoring.
The takeaway
The addition of a local level II neonatal unit emphasizes the importance of parental proximity for infant development. Families can now better plan for potential care needs by confirming if their delivery site offers the appropriate nursery level for their pregnancy stage.
Further reading
For more on local infant health developments, visit our Babies section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by LancasterOnline.
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