Gawler Hospital’s birthing services return after Facebook notification of suspension

SA Health has backflipped on a decision to suspend birthing services at a major regional hospital less than 24 hours after mothers were alerted by social media.

SA Health has backflipped on a decision to suspend birthing services at Gawler less than 24 hours after mothers were alerted on social media about the closure.

Expecting parents were shocked to find out they may be forced to give birth in a random hospital by a Facebook post by Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network.

The move was understood to have forced three woman to give birth at the Lyell McEwin Hospital rather than at Gawler Health Service as planned.

The suspension was set to affect birthing arrangements between July 6 and July 12 and was posted the day after the closure commenced.

But by midday on Friday the same social media page said a locum obstetrician had been sourced to fill the void.

Expectant Gawler mum Samantha Ratcliff was alerted to birthing changes at Gawler Health Service by a Facebook post. Pictures: Google/Facebook/Supplied

“We are very pleased to advise, effective immediately, birthing services at Gawler have resumed,” it read.

“Late last night we were able to secure a locum obstetrician who started work at Gawler this morning.”

The post indicated services would resume as normal from July 12 and patients who less than 24 hours before had been sent scrambling, would be informed of the reinstatement.

An SA Health spokeswoman confirmed the service had been reopened from “this morning”.

“The temporary closure was initially put in place due to unexpected leave,” she said.

Heavily pregnant Gawler mother Samantha Ratcliff had earlier told The Messenger she had found out about the suspension after being tagged in the post by a friend.

Despite her due date being in early August, Ms Ratcliff had an early labour scare on Sunday when she attended Gawler Health Service.

Ms Ratcliff was also battling a bout of influenza and said she should have been notified of the closure.

“I’d like to know my closest hospital would still be on board with seeing me if needed,” she said.

“It would have been better to be told (by SA Health).”

Gawler mayor Karen Redman says birthing closures are disrespectful to the town of Gawler. Picture: Colin James

Gawler mayor Karen Redman blasted SA Health for the “disrespect” she said was shown to her town.

“It is completely unacceptable,” she said.

“How has this been allowed to happen?

“Would this happen in Mt Barker? I suggest not.

“This just smacks of disrespect for the Gawler facility.”

The original post informed potential patients they would be transferred to the Lyell McEwin Hospital at Elizabeth, at least 25 minutes from Gawler.

The suspension came with essential workers at the Lyell McEwin set to take strike action over carparking provision.

Health Minister Chris Picton said he was glad a “solution” had been found to disrupt the service suspension.

“It is unfortunate that Covid illnesses have placed many pressures on hospital workforce but I thank everyone who worked hard to find a positive outcome in this case,” he said.

Opposition health spokeswoman Ashton Hurn “feared” the suspension was a result of a “Covid avalanche” set to sweet the state.

“It’s disappointing and distressing that expecting mothers are being relocated from Gawler Hospital because of staff shortages in the birthing unit,” she said.

“The pressure on our health system is impacting services right across the state and pregnant women living in the regions need access to expert support so they can give birth closer to home.”