Last ditch bid to save Epworth Geelong’s maternity ward

Supporters of Epworth Geelong’s maternity ward are making another last ditch bid to save the unit.

Jodie and Matt Asher with their Epworth-born children Picture: Alan Barber

Geelong residents are being invited to throw their support behind a last-minute bid to stop the closure of a private hospital’s maternity ward.

Supporters of Geelong’s Epworth maternity ward are expected to gather at a rally on Tuesday, while Geelong-based Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson and Polwarth MP Richard Riordan have launched a petition calling on state and federal governments to “urgently intervene”.

The petition is the second launched since Epworth revealed its proposal to close the maternity ward by March 1.

The forum, which will include a panel of experts, will be the second public demonstration of support for the maternity ward, after supporters of the unit gathered at the Waurn Ponds hospital site in late December.

The hospital is in a consultation period with staff, with a spokesman confirming an announcement would be made next month.

Senator Henderson and Mr Riordan said the proposed closure was a “critical health issue”.

Jodie and Matt Asher with their Epworth-born children Picture: Alan Barber

“The proposed closure of Epworth Geelong’s maternity unit, where almost 600 babies are born each year, is a critical public health issue. Without this vital health service for women and families across our region, Barwon Health’s University Hospital Geelong would be pushed to breaking point, particularly as the state government has delayed delivery of the Barwon Women and Children’s Hospital until 2029,” an online version of the petition read.

But Barwon Health spokeswoman Kate Bibby said the hospital supported an average of 55-60 births a week and had the capacity accommodate any increased demand from women who may have previously have chosen attend Epworth.

“Barwon Health regularly manage periods of higher demand when there is an increased number of births on a particular day,” she said.

“Recently there were 12 babies born in a 24-hour period.

“Barwon Health will work closely with St John of God to support the approximately 10 births a week that would have occurred at Epworth.”

It’s understood Barwon Health delivers close to 3000 babies a year.

A state spokesman did not specifically address the closure but said the government was investing in healthcare through the delivery of the new Barwon Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

Originally published as Last ditch bid to save Epworth Geelong’s maternity ward