St Helen’s mother and baby unit saved by government

The State Government has stepped in to rescue a dedicated private Mother and Baby Unit, to help mums with postnatal depression and anxiety. FIND OUT HOW >

St Helen's Private Hospital, Hobart. Picture: Chris Kidd

The State Government has stepped in to rescue a dedicated private Mother and Baby Unit, to help mums with postnatal depression and anxiety.

The move comes after the announcement of the imminent closure of St Helen’s Private Hospital in Hobart.

Hospital operator Healthscope revealed last Tuesday the hospital would close, citing falling demand and the need for major capital works.

The move was met with concern from the community because the hospital provided inpatient and outpatient services to hundreds of Tasmanians, and was also home to the state’s only mother baby inpatient mental health unit.

But Premier and Health Minister Jeremy Rockliff announced late Monday the Mother and Baby Unit would be moved to the Royal Hobart Hospital’s Ward K6 in the West Wing of the new K block.

St Helen's Private Hospital, Hobart. Picture: Chris Kidd

He said the new service was expected to be operational by mid-June – ahead of the closure of the St Helen’s Private Hospital at the end of June – to ensure continuity of care for mums in need.

The new unit will consist of three dedicated public beds to accommodate mothers experiencing postnatal depression and anxiety.

Mr Rockliff said other mums experiencing physical maternal exhaustion or issues with feeding and settling would be accommodated in the RHH paediatric ward and other alternative settings.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff has saved the Mother and Baby Unit at St Helen’s Private Hospital. Picture: Chris Kidd

“We know how vital the Mother and Baby Unit is for Tasmanian families which is why we have worked hard to find a solution to ensure that mothers and their infants who need it can access this type of care and support in the most appropriate setting,” Mr Rockliff said.

“While we are disappointed by Healthscope’s decision to close St Helen’s Private Hospital, we are taking all proactive steps to minimise the impact on patients, and continuity of care for those using the service is an absolute priority for us.

“We are working with Healthscope and health unions to develop a staffing and governance model for the new service to ensure those staff who wish to work within the public health system following the closure of St Helen’s Private Hospital are given the opportunity to do so.

St Helen's Private Hospital, Hobart. Picture: Chris Kidd

“As a government, we are committed to providing mothers and their infants with a suite of healthcare options to best meet their needs, and the establishment of the Mother and Baby Unit within the RHH is just the starting point.”

He said the Tasmanian Health Service was continuing to work with other non-government providers to meet the impact of this closure on other mental health services, and drug treatment inpatient services and day programs.

“We will continue to update Tasmanians as we work through our plan to ensure continuity of services,” he said.