South West Healthcare’s Camperdown maternity services in limbo again

Only three months after Camperdown’s maternity services were ‘saved’, locals fear birthing services are being axed by stealth. Here’s why.

Expectant parents in southwest Victoria fear Camperdown’s maternity services will close completely due to staff shortages.

In early August, South West Healthcare’s Camperdown hospital temporarily reduced service capability to level one, which services pre and post-natal treatment but does not accommodate planned births.

But following a review two months ago, hospital management confirmed it was working to “make the changes required so we can recommence birthing at Camperdown Hospital”.

But parents-to-be have told The Weekly Times that services have been inconsistent due to staff shortages since the backlash over the maternity “pause.”

It is understood the problem is set to be exacerbated with remaining obstetrics-connected staff conclude their work on November 30 if changes aren’t made.

“We have had to double book (for our labour/birth session) because there’s no guarantee that Camperdown can accommodate us,” one expectant parent said.

Women in south western Victoria are waiting on tenterhooks to know if they can give birth at a local hospital. Picture: iStock

“All the staff at the hospital have been fantastic — the problem is either with the management or that the management have to deal with funding cutbacks.

“To their credit, we’re in contact each week to confirm whether there’ll be maternity services in Camperdown this week or not.

“The concern locally is this ‘on-again, off-again’ approach is about reducing the number of births at Camperdown, so the Health Minister can close it due to a lack of interest.”

Colac and Warrnambool, which both have hospitals offering maternity services, are at least a 30 minutes to hour’s drive for Camperdown residents.

A South West Health spokesperson said the hospital has “at no stage” considered closing down the Camperdown Hospital birthing service, but factors such as staff availability meant the service will “from time to time” go on diversion, with all affected women directly informed and alternative arrangements made.

“This process is not unusual for rural hospitals”, the spokesperson said.

When asked by The Weekly Times if a number of staff covering obstetrics were set to discontinue their work at the end of the month, the spokesperson said the hospital will “continue to work closely with our midwives, doctors and staff at Camperdown to ensure the availability of this service”.

“South West Healthcare remains committed to providing birthday services at Camperdown, with this service still in operation having birthed four babies in September and two so far in October”.