Birthing unit for the Hills ‘gathering momentum’

Calls for a full maternity ward at a long-promised hospital in one of the fastest growing areas of Sydney are reaching fever pitch with a federal Labor MP launching a petition to make it happen.

Calls for a full maternity ward at a long-promised hospital in one of the fastest growing areas of Sydney is “gathering momentum,” a federal Labor frontbencher says.

Greenway MP Michelle Rowland has broken ranks with the Minns government over plans for Rouse Hill hospital, launching a petition urging her state counterparts to fund a birthing unit at the new hospital.

The Daily Telegraph revealed last year that women will not be able to give birth at Rouse Hill hospital when it is finally built.

Instead, women have been told they would need to go to Blacktown and Westmead for birthing services.

Ms Rowland came out in support of a full birthing unit at Rouse Hill hospital last year, creating a rift with her state Labor colleagues.

An artist’s impression of how the Rouse Hill Hospital will look.

“Our campaign for full maternity services at Rouse Hill hospital is gathering momentum,” she said.

“Since December, nearly 3500 residents have signed our petition for a Maternity Ward and an Urgent Care Clinic.

“We will continue working closely with the NSW Labor government to ensure the growing North-West and the young families in the region have the hospital they deserve,” she said.

Health Minister Ryan Park said he was “continuing to engage” with Ms Rowland on her campaign for a full maternity ward.

He blamed the previous Coalition government for not delivering a new hospital for Sydney’s North-West during their 12 years in office.

“The Liberals promised to build Rouse Hill Hospital at three elections, but the Minns Labor Government is actually getting on with the job of delivering it,” he said.

However, that delivery is at risk over a dispute over costs.

A petition for full maternity services at the proposed Rouse Hill hospital has nearly 3500 signatures.

It was revealed in budget estimates that the government still has no idea how much it needs to pay for the land.

The cost of the compulsory acquisition is tied up in legal proceedings amid a dispute between the government and the current owner.

Mum of three Anastasia Chartorisky, from Grantham Farm, said having a birthing suite at Rouse Hill hospital would make life “so much easier” for expectant mums in the region.

She had to battle a four-hour trip to have her second and third child in Blacktown Hospital.

“I would have to drop my children off at care with my mum at Galston before travelling all the way back to Blacktown,” she said.

She said not including a birthing unit at Rouse Hill hospital was a “stupid decision” for a “growing community”.

Originally published as Birthing unit for the Hills ‘gathering momentum’