Gladstone maternity unit back online 339 days after going on bypass

Gladstone Hospital Maternity has returned to full services after almost a year on bypass in a massive breakthrough for Central Queensland families.

Gladstone Hospital Maternity returned to full services on Tuesday after almost a year on bypass.

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman announced the move after Queensland Health was able to adequately restaff the unit.

As reported by The Courier-Mail on Monday, in a letter to Save Gladstone Maternity Ward community advocate Jemma Manwaring late on Monday, Ms Fentiman said the reintroduction of phase three services at Gladstone Hospital would allow more women to give birth closer to home.

“At Phase 3, all expectant mothers with low-risk pregnancies, being 37 weeks or more

gestation, can give birth closer to home at Gladstone Hospital,” she wrote.

“As has always been the case, higher risk pregnancies will be referred to Rockhampton, which has more specialised support.

“The highest risk pregnancies have always been referred to tertiary hospitals and this will continue.”

Gladstone Hospital. Picture Rodney Stevens

Ms Manwaring who has campaigned on behalf of mothers for the reopening of services welcomed the announcement.

“After nearly 12 months, the mothers of Gladstone are letting out a collective sigh of relief,” Ms Manwaring said.

“Finally, the maternity ward in their hometown can return to the same services that were offered before the bypass began 339 days ago.

“It’s hugely disappointing that this has taken so long to rectify for a town our size.”

Gladstone Hospital was put on full maternity bypass on July 8 last year.

Over the months since, The Courier-Mail and Sunday Mail has highlighted the stresses and anxieties of mums not being able to deliver near home.

Babies were born on the Bruce Highway and women were petrified of hitting the road.

New Queensland Minister for Health Shannon Fentiman visits Gladstone Hospital. Picture Instagram

There were horror reports of women having life threatening complications in the Gladstone Hospital car park, of women free birthing with no medical help at home, of a woman carrying her miscarried baby in a Spotlight box on her lap in the car from Rockhampton back home.

Women also revealed they were travelling as far south of Brisbane and Logan to safely birth.

Ms Fentiman on Tuesday confirmed the recruitment of additional obstetrics and gynaecology specialists and acknowledged the challenges in the sector.

“I know this commitment to return birthing services to Gladstone comes with great relief for many expecting mothers and families,” she said,

“I acknowledge challenges being felt by maternity services across the state and I want to thank all the hardworking staff for continuing to provide exceptional care for this community.“I will continue to support those on the frontline to ensure we can deliver a safe and sustainable maternity service into the future.”

The Courier-Mail has been told Ms Fentiman will visit Gladstone again next week, just a month after her last visit to the region on her first day as Health Minister.

In her email, Ms Fentiman acknowledged the advocacy of the community and the local MP, Minister Glenn Butcher who have campaigned for this.

“I would also like to thank you for meeting with me at the end of last month to discuss the importance of local birthing services,” she wrote.

“I look forward to visiting Gladstone in the coming weeks to welcome the new staff and meet with community members.”

Ms Fentiman said getting to this point had meant extensive work being undertaken by CQ Health to recruit qualified medical professionals to cover vacancies, while also building a framework for the Maternity Care Network across Central Queensland.

Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive Dr Emma McCahon said she was thrilled to have full birthing returned at Gladstone Hospital.

“Our multidisciplinary maternity care teams across Central Queensland have worked tirelessly to support expectant mothers and their families while birthing has been on bypass at Gladstone Hospital. I unreservedly thank them for ensuring we continue to deliver exemplary patient care during this period,” she said.

“I am thrilled we have returned to full birthing at Gladstone Hospital. We are returning to a service that is in a much better state than what we started with. Our team is stronger, and we better understand what our community wants and needs from a maternity service.”