Ministers pushing for maternity services gap fix as parents share heartfelt birth stories
“It has provided life-changing care to so many families, including mine,” mum Jess Wilson said, disappointed in the loss of maternity services at Hobart Private Hospital. Read other Tassie families’ stories.
Tasmania
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The state government remains “very concerned” about the closure of the maternity ward at the Hobart Private Hospital as talks are ongoing over the future of 600 births per year.
On Thursday national, North American owned private hospital operation and healthcare provider Healthscope announced it would close its maternity ward at the Hobart Private Hospital.
600 babies are born on the ward every year and these births will need to be absorbed by private hospital Calvary and the Royal Hobart Hospital.
A leading Calvary medico told the Sunday Tasmanian the private hospital had the capacity to accommodate more births, but would need the support of the state government to ensure it could secure the right amount of nurses.
On Sunday Premier Jeremy Rockliff said he was “very concerned” about the Healthscope announcement and the 600 births a year that will need to be supported “again through a partnership between public and private” services.
He said health minister Jacquie Petrusma had been engaging with Calvary and with Federal health minister Mark Butler but did not say what the results of the discussion were.
Mr Butler said he had a “productive” conversation with Ms Petrusma on Friday and he understood there were ongoing positive conversations between private health insurers and the state government.
“We want women to have a choice on where they give birth,” he said.
“It is incumbent on insurers and private hospitals to come together to find solutions to these issues in the interests of patients.”
Mr Rockliff said the state would be in discussions around transfer of staff between Healthscope and Calvary Health “should that eventuate”.
He said maternity services were of “paramount importance” to families across Tasmania and “women and their bubs”.
Hobart Mum Jess Wilson said she was disappointed for the families who were planning on delivering at the HPH, after she received “life-changing care” through her second pregnancy almost two years ago.
Mrs Wilson said she had regular visits to the HPH for fluids due to being severely dehydrated due to Hyperemesis gravidarum – A severe type of nausea and vomiting she suffered in both her pregnancies.
She said she loved her experience at HPH during “one of the hardest weeks” when her son’s heart rate dropped during a routine scan at 36 weeks, and she was taken to HPH for monitoring.
By this time the baby’s heart rate had returned to normal and her care team decided Mrs Wilson should undergo a C-section the next week for the best outcome of the baby.
“Throughout that week, the wonderful maternity staff had me come in for monitoring to ensure his heart rate remained steady. They made one of the hardest weeks calm and comforting – always supportive and understanding of my concerns.”
Mrs Wilson said the care she received from every doctor and nurse she encountered was “truly exceptional”.
“Their compassion, professionalism, and unwavering support made an incredibly challenging time more manageable.
“Every nurse and doctor I encountered showed genuine care, not only for my son’s wellbeing but also for my own, ensuring I felt reassured and informed every step of the way,” she said.
Mrs Wilson said her son was born almost two years ago to the day, and although he needed monitoring in the special care nursery for a few days he was ultimately a “healthy baby”.
She said she was disappointed for the staff at HPH and for families planning on delivering at the hospital.
“It’s heartbreaking to know that the maternity ward at Hobart Private Hospital is closing, as it has provided life-changing care to so many families, including mine.
“I will always be grateful for the dedicated team who helped bring my son safely into the world,” she said.
“Their kindness, expertise, and support will never be forgotten.”
The Mercury’s ‘Deliver for Tassie Mums’ campaign’ has received an outpouring of stories from families who delivered at the Hobart Private Hospital from as early as 1999 to as late as February 2025.
Bel Tyquin said her second baby girl, Zoey, was born at Hobart Private in July 2021.
“My first baby girl, Arabella although wasn’t born at the private due to having an emergency caesarean 9 weeks early at the Royal, Arabella spent 6 weeks in Special Care at the Private in October 2018,” she said.
Donna Powell had Lloyd Francis was born on November 19, 2024 at the HPH.
“It was a wonderful experience and all the staff were amazing – from the doctors to midwives and all the support staff – lactation consultants, physios, the admin and cleaning staff- everyone was exceptional.
“I stayed five nights following a C-section and was grateful to be able to take the time I needed before coming home.
“It’s incredibly sad they are closing the service- not sure where 600 births will go!”
Claire Levis was devastated to hear the news about the Hobart Private Hospital.
“All 3 of my children were born there (2017, 2018 and 2024) and it was always a positive experience,” she said.
“I think it’s such a loss for families having a baby to have such limited options moving forward without Hobart Private. Not to mention the jobs lost for the staff!”
Cheryl and Martin Oakley said their son Braeden Wayne Oakley was the first baby born on the ward at the HPH on December 10 1999.
Madison Killer’s son Hudson was born on August 2, 2024 under the care of Dr Emily Price.
“It was by far the best experience of my life. The support my partner and I received was second to none. Absolutely shattered to hear it is closing down,” she said.
“A massive step backwards for women and babies in Tasmania.”
Angela Haugland had twin daughters at 35 weeks gestation at the HPH in January 2023, she said it was a “devastating time for Tasmanian women and families”.
“They were cared for in the special care unit for 18 days by wonderful staff which made our tough time an enjoyable experience that you should be having with the birth of your children,” she said.
She said she was lucky to be returning to HPH to deliver her third baby in March but the closure in August would be a “sad time for Tasmanians”.
Laura Goldsmith said the closure was making her rethink having more children.
She said Dr Warren Kennedy and Emily Allen delivered her baby boy in January 2024..
“By far the best and most supportive birth I’ve had. With the drastic closure of the Private Hospital, It has made me reconsider having more children,”
Maddy Steele had all three of her babies at the Hobart Private Hospital with Georgie born in 2021 and twins Jed and Eadie born in 2022 all delivered by Tania Hingston.
“The care and support I received from the staff at Hobart Private was amazing, especially while our twins were in special care for 32 days,” she said.
“It’s devastating that women will no longer have the choice to birth there.”
Melissa Fletcher had a “wonderful experience” when giving birth to Hiedi Anna Hanson in 2020.
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