St John of God Geelong maternity ward faces bypass, doctors warn

Heavily pregnant women were warned they may be forced to move hospitals to give birth, but St John of God Hospital Geelong has moved to reassure them.

St John of God hospital Geelong. Picture: Alison Wynd

Doctors have warned heavily pregnant women due to give birth at St John of God Geelong Hospital that they may be forced to deliver elsewhere.

However, the hospital denied it was going on “bypass”.

Obstetricians Dr Kara Thompson, Dr Aleisha Gorski and the team at Berth told the group’s patients that due to a shortage of paediatrician cover, the hospital may go on bypass.

“Hospital bypass, in this context, refers to a temporary situation where the facility may be unable to admit new patients for obstetric care until sufficient paediatrician coverage is available,” it said in a letter sent Friday.

“Please be assured that this bypass is not related to midwifery care or due to hospital capacity levels, but rather a challenge in providing adequate paediatric support.

“Despite this circumstance, we want to emphasise that our team of dedicated obstetricians and midwives are fully committed to providing you with the highest-quality care, even during these challenging times.”

The St John of God-based group said: “If the hospital experiences a bypass situation, we will do everything within our power to accommodate your needs and ensure a safe delivery process.”

There is a well-documented paediatrician shortage in the region.

St John of God Geelong Hospital chief executive Stephen Roberts said the hospital would not be activating bypass arrangements on the weekend.

St John of God Geelong Hospital CEO Stephen Roberts

“Bypass arrangements are one of a number of robust contingency measures which exist to deal with the known unpredictability of maternity services,” he said.

“From time to time bypass arrangements may need to be enacted for short periods of time to ensure patient safety.

“St John of God is working closely with Barwon Health to ensure we respond to those gaps created following the closure of another service and together we are making very positive progress to guarantee a sustainable and safe service solution for our region.”

Geelong’s only other private maternity unit at Epworth Geelong closed earlier this year.

Epworth blamed staff shortages.

“We have been delivering babies at our hospital for decades and we value highly the privilege of supporting mothers and families in one of their most momentous and significant experiences,” Mr Roberts said.

“We are deeply committed (to ensuring) women have access to a high quality private maternity experience.”

Dr Kara Thompson.

Barwon Health spokeswoman Kate Bibby said the organisation had a collaborative relationship with other hospitals in our region to provide support when required, which included maternity services.

“University Hospital Geelong averages about eight births each day and we regularly manage periods of higher birth numbers,” Ms Bibby said.

“Barwon Health is able to provide care for additional women who might have previously chosen to give birth elsewhere.”

In June, St John of God’s maternity ward reached capacity and could not accept new patients.

At the time, St John of God’s acting chief executive officer Taanya Widdicombe confirmed the maternity ward was at capacity for six hours and that bypass arrangements were enacted.

Ms Widdicombe said a planned elective induction was rescheduled, but said no patients needed to be redirected from St John of God to other hospitals.

Originally published as St John of God Geelong maternity ward faces bypass, doctors warn