Redland public maternity services remain open despite pediatrician shortage hitting private hospital

Pregnant women on Brisbane’s bayside have been reassured that they can still give birth to their babies locally despite a pediatrician shortage affecting the local private hospital and a two-day temporary closure of a public ward last year.

Redland Hospital’s maternity ward closed for two days last year while building works were carried out. Now it has taken on a new role after the closure last month of the next-door private maternity ward. Picture: The Courier-Mail

A busy bayside maternity ward was forced to close for two days because its airconditioning unit was not functioning during building works, it can now be revealed.

Redland Hospital’s maternity ward was closed on October 2 and 3 last year after construction of an inpatient ward and intensive care unit affected the hospital’s ability to control temperature and humidity within the buildings, State Parliament was told last week.

The Redland public maternity ward was one of three to be affected by service reductions in the past year.

Mater Private Hospital Redland closed its maternity ward in May citing a lack of pediatricians. Picture: The Courier-Mail

Ayr Health Service was temporarily closed for a month from March 27 to April 27 2024 during a major redevelopment of the perioperative unit and operating theatres.

The Ayr Health Service was also temporarily closed from September 15-18 September when there was an upgrade to medical gas facilities.

A spokesman for Metro South Queensland Health said the temporary closure at Redland (public) Hospital affected only one patient in October. They were transferred to Logan.

Health minister Shannon Fentiman revealed details of the public hospital maternity ward’s two-day closure last week as the state was questioned about maternity services on the bayside following last month’s closure of the maternity ward at Redland Mater Private.

“I appreciate the concern the local community has about Mater’s decision to cease its private birthing services and want to assure women that our public facilities are resourced to provide the care they need,” Ms Fentiman said.

“Mater advised that due to a majority of Redlands women electing to birth at its Brisbane facility, birthing continued to decline at the Redland Private Hospital.”

Ms Fentiman said plans were always in place to support women to birth at alternative facilities if a maternity ward was undergoing staffing shortages or upgrade works.

Redland Hospital’s maternity ward was closed for two days last year while building works were carried out but will continue to operate after the next door private hospital closed its maternity unit in May. Picture: Contributed

“Those plans are communicated to expectant parents and support services and expectant parents are supported to have a safe birthing experience,” she said.

“The vast majority of temporary service reductions were in response to workforce shortages. Three service reductions were related to building works or other factors.

Redland Mater closed its maternity ward on May 26 citing a lack of paediatricians.

“Like many private maternity services, Mater at Redland has been affected by the nationwide shortage of paediatricians,” Redland Mater Private Hospital said in a statement last month.

“Without pediatric cover, it is simply unsafe for any hospital to deliver babies.

“Unfortunately, birthing services will cease at Mater Private Hospital Redland from May 26.

“This is a heartbreaking decision for Mater and for the team of midwives and nurses who have been caring for Brisbane’s bayside mums and babies for nearly 25 years.

“However, the safety of babies and mothers must always come first.”

Mums-to-be who had planned to have babies at Mater Private Hospital Redland will be able to give birth at Mater Mothers’ Private Brisbane.