Liberals urge Labor to do more to protect future of Epworth maternity ward

Local Liberal politicians have accused Labor being “asleep at the wheel” over the proposed closure of local maternity services.

Richard Riordan and Sarah Henderson for Epworth Maternity Ward. Other names to be filed soon. Picture: Supplied

LIBERAL politicians have called on the state and federal governments to intervene to try to stop the proposed closure of Epworth Geelong’s maternity ward.

Geelong-based Liberal senator Sarah Henderson and Liberal Polwarth MP Richard Riordan said both levels of governments must do more to protect the future of the private maternity ward.

Epworth Geelong announced the proposed closure its maternity services in November, blaming workforce shortages.

The $277m private hospital only opened in 2016 with its maternity services launching in June 2017. If the proposal is approved, it’s expected the ward will close on March 1.

The announcement prompted public outcry from women and midwives across the region.

Epworth Geelong announced plans in November 2022 to close its maternity ward. Picture: Paolo Cappelli

Senator Henderson said there were concerns the closure would push St John of God hospital and Geelong hospital to breaking point.

“It will force some women to travel to Melbourne to give birth which is not only untenable but unsafe,” she said.

“The closure of Epworth Geelong’s maternity ward, where close to 600 babies are born each year, would be devastating for our community.”

Senator Henderson also raised concerns the maternity ward’s closure was about putting profits before the health needs of the community.

“That is unforgivable ... it is disgraceful and cruel that Epworth Geelong would close its maternity ward midway through the pregnancy of so many expectant mothers,” she said.

Mr Riordan recognised that many hospitals are experiencing workforce shortages but said the closure of the services would have a direct impact on health services across the region.

“Victoria’s health system relies on both private and public hospitals,” he said.

Both mothers and midwives have said the service’s closure would leave expectant mothers with no local secular private hospital option.

“My only other private healthcare option (in Geelong) was St John Of God and I’m not religiously affiliated,” said local mum Naomi Mathias.

Supporters rallied to save Epworth Geelong maternity unit outside the Waurn Ponds hospital in December 2022. Picture: Alan Barber

Geelong GP Elise Davey started a petition to save the maternity ward shortly after the proposed closure was announced.

The petition attracted more than 13,000 signatures with high profile identities throwing their support behind the campaign, including expectant mother Brit Selwood.

Supporters of the maternity ward rallied outside the hospital on December 20 to protest the closure of the services.

Epworth Geelong executive general manager Leonie Llyod told the Geelong Advertiser in December the hospital was still in a consultation period and a final decision would be made early this year.

Originally published as Liberals urge Labor to do more to protect future of Epworth maternity ward