Monash Health to close maternity wards at Dandenong Hospital due to Covid
Expecting mothers will be forced to travel further to give birth as the closure of Dandenong Hospital’s maternity ward leaves staff and families on edge.
South East
Don't miss out on the headlines from South East . Followed categories will be added to My News.
Expecting mothers could be forced to travel up to 30 minutes further to give birth as the closure of Dandenong Hospital’s maternity ward leaves families and staff on edge.
Monash Health have remained tight-lipped about its plans to shut and move the maternity, newborn and paediatric wards refusing to answer repeated inquiries by Leader.
But in a letter that was sent to staff dated January 28 this year, the largest maternity provider in the state said the decision was made because of Covid and the state government declaring a code brown for Victorian public hospitals.
“Monash Health proposes to temporarily relocate Maternity, Newborn and Paediatric inpatient services from Dandenong Hospital as part of Monash Health’s Code Brown response,” it read.
“Monash Health recently activated Stage 4 Surge Workforce response for its midwifery workforce across all three maternity sites until at least March 22 2022.”
In the six page letter, Monash Health said Dandenong Maternity Ward will be relocated to Casey Hospital Ward with some staff required to work at Monash Medical Centre based on “surge workforce requirements”.
Sources have told Leader that a virtual staff meeting was held last week with the video conference ending abruptly after midwives and doctors were told there was “no time” for questions.
It’s believed staff morale is at an “all time low” with midwives “extremely upset” with managements handling of the matter.
Staff are also concerned about what the closure means for expecting mums in vulnerable communities.
Asylum Seeker Resource Centre Innovation Hub director Abiola Ajetomobi said the decision was insensitive and risky.
“It has a significant impact not only to those with limited travel access but also those not familiar with hospital and emergency systems and face increased complexities and traumatic stress in such a high pressured circumstances,” she said.
Dandenong Hospital is located in one of the most culturally diverse communities in Australia, with 64 per cent of its population born overseas.
Ms Ajetomobi said the decision fails to consider vulnerable people including refugees and people seeking asylum.
“These people often have limited access to commuting, often no family to rely on in such circumstances,” she said.
“For some, no Medicare and low English proficiency creates a big risk to their health and wellbeing as they find their way to an unfamiliar hospital environment and personnels.”
It’s believed some staff have contacted the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation to voice their concerns.
Monash Health provide care to more 10,000 women each year across its three hospitals in Dandenong, Clayton and Berwick.
The state government brought in the code brown measure on January 18 due to the number of healthcare workers either diagnosed with Covid or forced to isolate as close contacts.
Code brown is expected to be in place between four to six weeks with authorities monitoring the situation to determine when it will be safe to begin winding down the arrangements.
Monash Health and Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation have been contacted for comment.
