Confusion surrounds maternity ward closure as CLP tries to manage the pending shutdown
Uncertainty remains a key theme with Darwin Private Hospital’s maternity ward set to close. Read the latest.
Northern Territory
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A baby a day will be delivered at the Healthscope-owned Darwin Private Hospital’s much-loved Jabiru ward ahead of its expected closure on June 6.
Darwin Private Hospital general manager Tamara Sweeney said that from May 2, 31 babies would be delivered at the private maternity ward ahead of the final admission day for new patients on May 30.
While arrangements are being put in place for expectant mums and families ahead of the closure, the maternity ward’s workforce is also being transitioned.
The NT Department of Health said more than 2000 babies are born each year at Royal Darwin Hospital and fewer than 300 at Darwin Private Hospital.
Healthscope announced in February it would shutdown Darwin Private Hospital’s maternity unit in April, later extending the shutdown date to June 6.
Unlike the Hobart private maternity suites, which received a $10 million Commonwealth cash injection to remain open, no such funding was provided to keep the Darwin Private maternity unit open.
Beyond the medical implications, former Master Builders chief executive Damien Moriarty was among the first to raise the potential economic impacts of the maternity ward’s closure.
Mr Moriarty warned that young Defence families being posted north would opt to relocate in Townsville ahead of Darwin because the Queensland city had private maternity services.
This theme was picked-up by Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation NT branch secretary Cath Hatcher who the closure came with a consequence.
“I think it will have a small implication because the majority of the women who would have their baby at the Private were Defence Force women or wives, Defence Force nurses, doctors, police or teachers.
“So you might find that women may have babies elsewhere where they have every type of choice, and then may come back and do the Darwin stint later in their career, when their children are older.”
So will the closure have a big effect? “It may to begin with, but it’s really hard to say what it’s going to be like in two or three years time,” Ms Hatcher said.
“I just feel sorry for the women that have already booked into the private and now they have to turn around and find somewhere else to have their baby and they don’t have that choice of the private sector anymore with a private obstetrician, which there are clearly women around Australia who want that option.
“But the public sector will maintain and make sure that every shift there is the adequate staff on shift, whether it’s midwives or doctors.”
Australian Medical Association president Dr Robert Parker said the imminent shutdown was a “disaster” in terms of the choice offered to Territory women
“Absolutely it is a disaster not in terms of medical but in terms of choice in terms of potential people feeling like they want to move to the territory, in terms of available resources, it’s been a very bad move,” Dr Parker said.
“It’s more to do with, I suppose, people’s perception of what the Territory can offer, and people wanting to come here and grow their families.
“I think a lot of the people who use (private services) are service personnel and their families, so it might impact on their desire to come to Darwin because they feel they won’t have appropriate support for birthing up here.
“It could influence other professionals wanting to come to work in the Territory because they feel like they won’t be able to develop their family here.”
Dr Parker flagged that the Health Department’s plan to accommodate private maternity patients in resorts, had been scrapped, although Health Minister Steve Edgington said the plan was still on track.
“I can reassure expectant families affected by the closure of Healthscope’s maternity services that NT Health is working on the two alternative private maternity packages” he said.
“While I understand there are concerns and acknowledge the impact that the closure is having on some families, private health insurers have confirmed with NT Health that the packages are insurable.”
Ms Sweeney said there are sixteen permanent staff across maternity, nursing and administrative roles who will remain at Jabiru ward until the maternity ward closure.
She said Healthscope had worked with the maternity team to identify suitable alternative roles, with 10 staff offered positions at the private, while the remaining staff will transition to other roles elsewhere in Darwin including Royal Darwin Hospital or NT Health.
“At this stage we’re expecting anywhere up to about eight of our staff might stay (at DPH) and then the rest will transition likely to other services like RDH maternity,” Ms Sweeney said.
“We’re going through a process with them obviously and we’re making sure that there are appropriate opportunities. We will continue to work closely with the public and we can link them with the right people within Royal Darwin Hospital to make sure they get the care and access they require.”
Health Minister Steve Edgington moved to reassure mothers and families about future services.
“I can reassure expectant families affected by the closure of Healthscope’s maternity services that NT Health is working on the two alternative private maternity packages.
“While I understand there are concerns and acknowledge the impact that the closure is having on some families, private health insurers have confirmed with NT Health that the packages are insurable.
“We’re committed to rebuilding the Territory economy and restoring the Territory lifestyle, creating a place where families feel supported and confident in the health care available to them.”
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