Ambulances can no longer bring trauma patients to Henry Ford Providence Southfield Hospital after it lost its Level II trauma center status in July. The hospital continues to treat trauma cases arriving by private vehicle while working to restore its designation.
Henry Ford Providence Southfield Hospital is no longer designated as a Level II trauma center, a change that took effect in mid-July and now requires ambulances to transport trauma patients to other area hospitals. The hospital, located on Nine Mile Road in Southfield, Michigan, continues to treat trauma patients who arrive by private vehicle, but ambulances must bypass the facility for serious injuries such as those from car crashes or gunshot wounds.
The loss of trauma status is described by Henry Ford Health officials as temporary and unrelated to the quality of care provided. Instead, the change stems from an administrative issue involving documentation of education and process improvements required by the American College of Surgeons. The hospital was notified in July that it could not accept trauma patients by ambulance until the matter is resolved.
Ambulance Diversion and Patient Impact
With the change, ambulances responding to traumatic injuries in southeastern Oakland County are now directed to other hospitals with Level I or Level II trauma designations, such as Corewell Health Farmington Hills Hospital or Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital in Royal Oak. Both facilities are approximately 15 to 20 minutes away from the Southfield hospital. This additional travel time could affect outcomes for patients with life-threatening injuries.
Despite the loss of trauma status, Henry Ford Providence Southfield Hospital remains open for other emergencies, including heart attacks and strokes, and continues to operate its emergency department. In 2025, the hospital's emergency department treated more than 64,000 cases, according to Henry Ford Health.
Hospital Response and Next Steps
Henry Ford Health leaders say they are actively working with the American College of Surgeons and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to restore the hospital's trauma designation. The hospital was not downgraded to a lower trauma level but was removed from the state's list of designated trauma centers as of July 7. Officials have expressed confidence that the issue will be resolved and ambulance service for trauma patients will be reinstated soon.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for designating trauma centers in the state, following standards set by the American College of Surgeons. Level I and Level II trauma centers must have qualified surgeons, anesthesiologists, and operating rooms available within 15 minutes of a trauma patient's arrival. Lower-level trauma centers focus on stabilizing patients and arranging transfers to higher-level facilities when needed.
For now, residents in the Southfield area who experience traumatic injuries and require ambulance transport will be taken to other hospitals. Those who arrive at Henry Ford Providence Southfield Hospital by private vehicle can still receive trauma care at the facility.
The process for trauma center verification is rigorous and includes regular reviews of hospital capabilities, staffing, and documentation. Hospitals must maintain compliance with these standards to retain their trauma designation. Henry Ford Health has stated that the current issue is administrative and not related to patient care or clinical outcomes.
