Support plans update: Luxury stay for expectant mums locked in
The replacement support plan for the 45 pregnant mums currently impacted by Healthscope’s shock shutdown of maternity services at Darwin Private Hospital from June 6 has been locked in by the Northern Territory Government.
Northern Territory
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The replacement support plan for the 45 pregnant mums currently impacted by Healthscope’s shock shutdown of maternity services at Darwin Private Hospital from June 6 has been locked in by the Northern Territory Government.
The plan reaffirms Health Minister Steve Edgington’s promised package of measures that will see the Mercure Darwin Airport Resort provide a post-natal maternity retreat from 1 June 2025.
Mr Edginton has confirmed privately insured expectant parents will be able to stay at the hotel in the deluxe king suite for up to four nights after giving birth in Royal Darwin Hospital.
Minister Edgington said securing the contract with the Mercure Darwin Airport Resort would provide certainty and security for the 45 families affected.
He said the hotel private option will also provide Territory families with a choice of private maternity options in the future.
NT Health will host two information sessions next week for expectant families at the Mercure Darwin Airport Resort so they can view the accommodation and talk to specialist staff about birthing at Royal Darwin Hospital and the private maternity options available.
Mr Edgington said Royal Darwin Hospital maternity services will also hold small group and one-on-one sessions for expectant parents to provide information about the services, models of care and discharge support, as well as what to expect during birth, staying in the hospital and post-natal care.
He confirmed that maternity support and care would initially be provided by domiciliary midwives from Royal Darwin Hospital while procurement is undertaken to secure a private practising midwife provider to deliver this service.
“Domiciliary is a post-natal midwifery service available to all women and newborns who are assessed as safe for discharge from Royal Darwin Hospital after giving birth,” he said.
“Midwives will visit new mothers at their home or hotel, to provide clinical care such as wound reviews, post-natal assessments and baby weights, as well as support infant feeding and newborn care.”
Mr Edgington said NT Health had been in regular discussions with Medibank, Bupa and the Australian Health Service Alliance who are the primary private insurers in the Territory market and represent around 93 per cent of the women affected.
“I have been advised by NT Health that all insurers have agreed to support care options for women and families post birth,” Mr Edgington said.
“The inclusion of these services as insurable items will be finalised in time for the transition.
“I’m pleased the insurers are sitting down and putting some cash on the table, as they should, for our government to be able to pick up the slack.
“NT families have paid good hard-earned cash to these insurers with the expectation they’ll be supported during this incredibly important part of their lives, giving birth to their beautiful babies.”
The two private options include a luxury post-natal maternity retreat and return home sooner package.
A tender is in progress to procure a new mum and bub pack, as well as services for the return home sooner package including meal preparation and cleaning.
This is on track to be finalised by 1 June.
NT Health is in discussions with private maternity providers and two private obstetricians who will be on board in the coming months.
In addition, NT Health’s dedicated clinicians and midwives at the Maternity Services Unit are working with expectant families and their private obstetricians to transition their care to the Royal Darwin Hospital.
Further information on the NT Health website: Birthing Services in the Top End.
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Originally published as Support plans update: Luxury stay for expectant mums locked in
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