Brit Selwood among Geelong women shocked by closure of Epworth Geelong maternity ward

Brit Selwood is among a multitude of Geelong women who have had their birthing plans thrown into chaos after a shock announcement.

Expecting mum Brit Selwood, wife of former Cats captain Joel, is one of the shocked women who were planning to have their babies at the soon to be closed Epworth Geelong maternity service. Picture: Jason Edwards

Expecting mum Brit Selwood is one of the shocked women who were planning to have their babies at the soon to be closed Epworth Geelong maternity service.

Selwood and husband, Geelong champion Joel, are due to welcome their first child in February.

A petition has been started by a local GP, with almost 10,000 signatures collected, to save Epworth Geelong Maternity Unit which will cease all birthing services from March 1, 2023.

“I’m due right around the cut off date and haven’t got any confirmation of what will happen if I go over into March,’’ a shattered Selwood said.

“I get they don’t have staff but you can’t commit to all these people and pull the rug from under them.”

Joel and Brit Selwood announced their baby news in September.

Other Geelong wives, Emma Hawkins, wife of Tom, and Demi Duncan, wife of Mitch, also voiced their concern and shared the link to sign the petition.

“I’ve been lucky to have 2/3 babies delivered at the Epworth Geelong and I can’t imagine others not being able to have the same opportunity and access to the wonderful staff and facilities there,’’ Hawkins wrote.

Emma Hawkins shares her sadness and a link to the petition.

Demi Duncan also shared her devastation and a link to the petition.

“With the enormous population growth the region has seen the public sector overwhelmed in regards to maternity services and with the ‘covid baby boom’ continuing. To close a thriving private maternity unit would be a devastating blow to the region.”

Mum of three Duncan said it was devastating news.

“My heart is broken for everyone, all staff & all patients involved at the news around Epworth’s Maternity Ward,’’ she wrote.

“The most beautiful hospital with the best maternity staff.”

They are not the first regional hospital to struggle with midwife staffing, with Portland District Hospital forced to close their birthing suite for five months earlier this year.

Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation Victorian branch secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick confirmed midwife shortages were an issue and said the number in Australia was “growing too slowly to keep up with the birth rate”.

“All employers need to be creative in recruiting new midwives and retaining their current midwifery workforce,” she said.

Geelong’s other private hospital - St John of God - is offering midwives bonuses of up to $6000 over a year, which Ms Fitzpatrick flagged as another potential factor behind the proposed closure.

“It’s important to understand this is a proposal and not a forgone conclusion,” she said.

When asked whether Geelong’s other hospitals could manage an influx of new patients, a Victorian health department spokesman said they were investing in the midwifery workforce “across Victoria”.

“Work is already underway on the new Barwon Women’s and Children’s Hospital, which will deliver world-class maternity services for Geelong.”

An Epworth spokesman said they understand the proposed closure “might be disappointing or worrying” and have set up a hotline for existing patients.

“We sincerely apologise,” he said.