Ingham Hospital’s Maternity Services need support

Expectant mothers will be forced to transfer to Townsville after the decision to temporarily suspend Ingham Hospital’s Maternity Services in the coming months. See what MP Nick Dametto wants to do about it.

State Member for Hinchinbrook and KAP Deputy Leader, Nick Dametto at Ingham Hospital

Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto says mums and bubs need to be put first as his electorate deals with major changes in the Ingham Hospital maternity unit.

Expectant mothers due to give birth in Ingham will be transferred to Townsville during times of bypass due to doctor shortages, planned staff leave and ongoing recruitment issues.

The Hinchinbrook MP stated that while he wasn’t for any type of temporary bypasses however he respects the reasoning to protect Queensland Health’s employee’s own mental health and wellbeing.

“Ingham Hospital’s Maternity Service employees are experiencing burnout, fatigue, and stress due to a lack of doctors available or qualified to deliver babies locally. I understand that we need to manage these temporary bypasses to ensure we don’t lose these valuable people while still putting the health and safety of our mums and bubs first,” Mr Dametto said.

Mr Dametto says he has been engaging with the Townsville Hospital and Health Services (THHS), local midwives and expectant mothers to hear their concerns and suggestions.

Mr Dametto has put forward three suggestions to Health Minister Shannon Fentiman including temporarily redeploying Queensland Health employees from Townsville to Ingham, supporting midwives to travel with expectant mothers for birth, and reviewing the Clinical Services Capability Framework and potentially classifying Ingham Hospital as a level two, meaning the hospital could only deliver natural births but would stay open.

“This may not be the most ideal solution, but it has been suggested by some in the industry,” Mr Dametto said.

“Birthing must be available at the Ingham Hospital 24/7 and mothers should continue to receive antenatal and post-natal care locally, I want babies born in hospitals, not ambulances.”

Originally published as Ingham Hospital’s Maternity Services need support