Whyalla Hospital to cease birthing services from Monday

A hospital in one of SA's biggest cities will stop birthing services from Monday as officials issue a public plea for help.

Birthing services will stop at Whyalla Hospital from Monday with officials blaming a shortage of midwives and issuing a public plea for help to find staff.

While Premier Peter Malinauskas was on Kangaroo Island boasting about the return of birthing services there, Whyalla Hospital officials were telling local pregnant women they will need to find alternative options from Monday when birthing services stop.

Flinders and Upper North Local Health Network chief executive Craig Packard said officials are working to find qualified staff and hope to resume birthing services as soon as possible.

“Due to a critical midwifery workforce shortage, women due to give birth at Whyalla Hospital and Health Services will temporarily be required to deliver at other locations from Monday 26 June 2023,” Mr Packard said.

“This decision has been made to ensure that women are able to deliver their babies in the safest way possible.

“If you know of a midwife who is looking for a new opportunity in a friendly and welcoming community, please encourage them to get in touch with our health service.

“We are currently working with each woman who is due to give birth imminently, supporting them to develop a personalised plan and arrange their birth at an appropriate alternative location.”

Mr Packard said antenatal and post-natal care would continue to be provided at Whyalla Hospital and medical staff would remain available to respond to maternal emergencies.

Pregnant women in Whyalla who believe they may be in labour, even early stages, should attend the Whyalla Hospital as soon as possible.

Opposition regional health services spokeswoman Penny Pratt. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

“We also encourage you to contact us if you have any concerns or questions, you can contact the Whyalla Hospital on [phone],” Mr Packard said. “In the event of an emergency, call triple-0 (000).”

Opposition regional health services spokeswoman Penny Pratt said: “This is shocking and distressing news for soon-to-be parents who live in Whyalla, learning that from Monday there’s no local birthing services and no backup plan.

“This is an extraordinary amount of pressure that the government has just placed on these couples who were expecting, and rightfully so, to have their child born at their local hospital and close to home.

“On one hand Peter Malinauskas is spruiking the return of birthing services on Kangaroo Island, but on the other he’s shunned the people of Whyalla and their health needs.

“Regional health is more than shuffling the deck chairs, we need investment right across the board not just taking from one region to give to another.”

Ms Pratt called for incentives to attract and retain midwives, nurses and doctors in regional areas.

Health Minister Chris Picton said the situation was “incredibly disappointing.”

“I have made absolutely clear to the Local Health Network management my expectation that all possible measures be taken to restore services as soon as possible,” he said.

“It is shameful that the Liberals would play politics with this issue because everyone knows workforce issues don’t happen overnight, these issues are the result of long-term neglect of workforce planning including under the former Liberal Government.”

Last weekend five medical staff had to be treated for injuries when a patient went berserk at Port Pirie Hospital, in May an attack by a patient left staff at Riverland General Hospital “ducking punches and projectiles,” while in February a violent patient had to be tasered four times by police at Wallaroo Hospital.