Talks resume as clocks ticks down to maternity service shutdown at Hobart Private Hospital

The race is on to avoid a birthing shortfall as talks with Canberra resume in a bid to find extra capacity for hospital maternity ward.

Hobart Private Hospital: Deliver for Tassie mums.

Tasmanian and federal health officials have resumed talks on the impending closure of Hobart Private Hospital’s maternity ward, as stakeholders race the clock to find extra capacity for birthing services in southern Tasmania before August 20.

A day after hospital operator Healthscope gave the state government six months’ notice of its intention to cease maternity services at Hobart Private, Tasmanian Health Minister Jacquie Petrusma, and her federal counterpart Mark Butler, held what both representatives described as “productive” discussions about potential solutions to the looming clinical deficit.

And while both sides urged the other to do more to solve the impasse, the Tasmanian opposition warned time was already running out to find a solution.

Labor health spokesperson Ella Haddad speaks to media outside Royal Hobart Hospital.

“With the Hobart Private Hospital maternity ward closing in late August, some of the women who are going to be affected by this decision are already pregnant,” Labor health spokesperson, Ella Haddad, told the Mercury.

“While the solutions are no doubt complex, the government needs to prioritise a solution immediately for these women due to birth after 20 August.

“This needs to be accompanied by a long-term solution for the future care of women in Tasmania.

“Long-term, it’s not unforeseeable that women cancel their health insurance as private providers continue to reduce and limit the services they provide, which will only place more strain on an already under-pressure system.”

While Minister Petrusma committed to conducting further discussions with the federal government over coming weeks, she suggested Canberra had a key role to play in achieving an equitable and effective outcome for Tasmanians.

“With the Federal Government’s support, alongside Calvary, we believe we can absorb the additional capacity that will be required,” Ms Petrusma said.

Health Minister Jacquie Petrusma.

“Our number one priority will always be ensuring mothers and babies have the appropriate support and services they need during their birthing journeys.”

Acknowledging the Healthscope decision would be particularly difficult for many people in Tasmania, Minister Butler said responsibility for finding a solution to Hobart’s maternity dilemma was shared by many health stakeholders.

“Everyone deserves access to safe, affordable and accessible maternity care no matter their background or where they live,” Mr Butler said.

“We want women to have a choice on where they give birth.

“I understand there have been ongoing and positive conversations between private health insurers and the relevant state and territory governments to ensure ongoing access to services.

“It is incumbent on insurers and private hospitals to come together to find solutions to these issues in the interests of patients.”

AMA Tasmania president, Dr Michael Lumsden-Steel, said the planned closure of the Hobart Private Hospital birthing ward would leave only one remaining private maternity unit for the entire state.

Dr Lumsden-Steel said the Tasmanian public hospital system provided obstetric services in both the north and northwest regions of the state.

“We have expressed concerns that two services are not viable for the southern Tasmanian private patient population due to extreme pressures on midwife staffing,” Dr Lumsden-Steel said.

“The solution must be focused on training, attraction, and retaining more midwives and to fund maternity care properly.”

Australian Medical Association (AMA) President Dr Danielle McMullen. Picture: Richard Walker

AMA President Dr Danielle McMullen said Healthscope’s announcement that it would close maternity wards in hospitals in both Hobart and Darwin raised serious questions about the long-term viability of the private health system.

“The importance of maternity services simply cannot be overstated, and those who purchase private health insurance deserve to do so with the confidence they will get the care they need,” Dr McMullen said.

“Maternity services are like the canary in the coalmine and these latest closures announced by Healthscope should further emphasise the urgent need for reform to the private health sector.”

Originally published as Talks resume as clocks ticks down to maternity service shutdown at Hobart Private Hospital