Guy Barnett celebrates ‘significant milestone’ as northwest Maternity Services transferred to public system

North West Maternity Services have been transferred from the Coast’s private hospital, where they were deemed unsafe, to the public system less than a year after concerns were raised.

Health Minister Guy Barnett with Karson Radford. Picture: Simon McGuire.

North West Maternity Services have been transferred back to the public system in what the state government says is a “significant milestone”.

Maternity services have been moved to the Tasmanian Health Service after it was deemed the North West Private Hospital (NWPH) was not fit to deliver children.

In February, the Australian Medical Association (AMA) said that birthing services at the NWPH were unsafe.

It called for all maternity services to be transferred to the public system.

The state government initially said it would transfer services by November 2024 but moved it forward to December 2023 amid pressure from the AMA and Labor.

Speaking at the North West Regional Hospital, Health Minister Guy Barnett thanked his predecessor, Jeremy Rockliff, for initiating a review into birthing services in the region, which he said the government had acted on.

North West Regional Hospital. Picture: PATRICK GEE

“It is definitely delivering and will deliver, a better-integrated service that is safer and a wonderful, caring environment for mothers and babies on the northwest Coast,” Mr Barnett said.

“I want to pass on a special acknowledgment to all of the healthcare workers during the transition; it hasn’t been easy.

“We brought it forward about one year early because we wanted to deliver this improved health care as soon as possible.”

Department of Health hospitals and primary care northwest chief executive Paula Hyland said the transition of the integrated services, which included inpatient, antenatal clinics and community midwifery, was “a significant moment in time”.

“The aim of the new services is to provide high-quality care to mothers and babies on the Coast,” Ms Hyland said.

“The broader northwest community has been watching the transition carefully; we thank them for their input.”

Labor health spokesperson Anita Dow welcomed the transition of North West Maternity Services to the public system.

“I congratulate the mums and parents who courageously shared their experiences to ensure that changes were made to the service,” Ms Dow said.

“Maternity services on the northwest Coast should never have got to the point where expectant mums were asked to bypass the hospital and the service was deemed unsafe by the AMA.

“Mr Barnett must ensure that all the recommendations of the independent review are now implemented.

“This includes focusing on the workforce culture and retention, and attraction of midwives - including career pathways – in Tasmania.”

Originally published as Guy Barnett celebrates ‘significant milestone’ as northwest Maternity Services transferred to public system