RBWH maternity move reversed after traumatising stillbirth mothers

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath has intervened to stop the state’s biggest hospital co-locating grieving mothers in the same ward as new mothers and babies.

A plan to co-locate women who have suffered stillbirth, miscarriage or termination alongside newborn babies at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital has been axed, with the Government admitting it was wrong.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath yesterday intervened to stop Metro North Hospital and Health Service co-locating grieving mothers in the same ward as new mothers and babies, after the shocking practice was revealed by The Saturday Courier-Mail.

Midwives reported that the merger of the Inpatient Gynaecology Unit with the Maternity Unit at one of Queensland’s biggest birthing hospitals, the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, had caused so much psychological distress some patients had discharged themselves early against medical advice.

Ms D’Ath said that the ­co-location was a temporary measure and a proposal to move it permanently had been axed.

“I share stakeholder concerns about its location and as such, Metro North has withdrawn the proposal to permanently co-locate Gynaecology and Maternity, and is actively pursuing alternative options with stakeholders,” she said.

Minister Grace Grace, whose Brisbane Central electorate is home to the RBWH, said “of course” the hospital got it wrong.

However she would not be drawn to comment further, saying that the Health Minister had already addressed the concerns.

“The proposal has been withdrawn,” Ms Grace said.

“We all share the concerns in relation to what has been raised and it will be fixed.

The decision to make the RBWH maternity changes permanent has been reversed.

“The RBWH is in my electorate and it is a fantastic hospital.

“Wonderful services are offered at the RBWH.

“This was a proposal.

“I think they’ve been made aware there are a lot of concerns out there with stakeholders, but it will be fixed.”

The Saturday Courier-Mail revealed Queensland Nurses and Midwives’ Union secretary Beth Mohle had written to Metro North Hospital and Health Service officials five times outlining serious concerns around the merger, while union representatives had also met with officials twice on behalf of concerned nurses and midwives who feared for the mental health of their patients.

Ms Mohle welcomed the ministerial intervention and overturning of the decision.

“Our members are extremely elated at the outcome, particularly because of the impact this has on women who have already gone through extra difficulty,” she said.

“There’s no need to intensify our campaign given this intervention by the minister, which we are thankful for.”

The union leader said since the changes in August numerous women have discharged themselves “due to psychological trauma associated with being allocated beds near mothers with healthy newborns”.

The merger was at first considered a temporary Covid-19 response, but this week was made permanent.

The union took the unusual decision to launch a petition against the Queensland Health decision, prior to Ms D’Ath’s intervention.