❓ Hon. Darren West questions the Minister for Health regarding the removal of obstetric services from Northam, Merredin, and Katanning, and the availability of alternative services. The Minister provides details on the reasons for the closures, consultation processes, and alternative birthing options.
AnsweredQoN 538Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
OBSTETRIC SERVICES —
NORTHAM, MIDLAND AND KATANNING
538. Hon
DARREN WEST to the minister representing the Minister for Health:
(1) Are any obstetric services available at Northam
Health Service, Merredin Health Service and Katanning Hospital?
(2)
If no to (1), when were these services removed and why were these services
removed?
(3) Was any consultation undertaken prior to the
removal of obstetric services; and, if so, who was consulted?
(4) What birthing and other obstetric services are
available to mothers who live in Northam, Merredin and Katanning?
(5) Are there any other hospitals in WA that had
obstetric services as at 1 July 2013 that no longer offer these services; and,
if so which hospitals have been affected; and when were the services removed?
NORTHAM, MIDLAND AND KATANNING
538. Hon
DARREN WEST to the minister representing the Minister for Health:
(1) Are any obstetric services available at Northam
Health Service, Merredin Health Service and Katanning Hospital?
(2)
If no to (1), when were these services removed and why were these services
removed?
(3) Was any consultation undertaken prior to the
removal of obstetric services; and, if so, who was consulted?
(4) What birthing and other obstetric services are
available to mothers who live in Northam, Merredin and Katanning?
(5) Are there any other hospitals in WA that had
obstetric services as at 1 July 2013 that no longer offer these services; and,
if so which hospitals have been affected; and when were the services removed?
AnswerView source ↗
I
thank the member for some notice of this question. I answer on behalf of the
Minister for Planning representing the Minister for Health.
(1)
No.
(2) The WA Country Health Service did not make the
decision to remove services at these sites. Obstetric services in Northam
ceased on 30 June 2015, due to the retirement of the sole general practitioner
providing these services. Obstetric services in Merredin ceased in 2003, due to
GP obstetric services and obstetric anaesthetic cover no longer being available
and limited midwives able to provide services to low-risk maternity patients.
Obstetric services in Katanning ceased in 2012, due to GP obstetric services
and obstetric anaesthetic cover no longer being available.
(3) Extensive consultation with the local
communities, medical and nursing practitioners, Rural Health West, the
University of Western Australia Rural Clinical School of Western Australia, Western
Australian General Practice Education and Training, and King Edward Memorial
Hospital for Women was completed by WACHS prior to the cessation of services at
these three sites.
(4) Current birthing and obstetric services for
mothers in Northam and Merredin include community midwifery for antenatal and
postnatal care; admission for delivery to Narrogin hospital, St John of God
Midland Public Hospital for public or private services provided at that site,
and other metropolitan hospitals; follow-up postnatal admission at Northam
hospital following early discharge; and outpatient services for
medium-to-high-risk mothers by SJOG Midland Public Hospital. Current birthing
and obstetric services for mothers in Katanning include community midwifery
services for antenatal and postnatal care; and admission for delivery to Albany
and Narrogin hospitals, as well as all metropolitan facilities.
(5) Kaleeya Hospital's maternity and
neonatal services were transferred to Fiona Stanley Hospital on 2 December
2014, and Kaleeya Hospital's obstetric services were closed at that
time. Obstetric services at Swan District Hospital were transferred to St John
of God Midland Public Hospital on 24 November 2015.
thank the member for some notice of this question. I answer on behalf of the
Minister for Planning representing the Minister for Health.
(1)
No.
(2) The WA Country Health Service did not make the
decision to remove services at these sites. Obstetric services in Northam
ceased on 30 June 2015, due to the retirement of the sole general practitioner
providing these services. Obstetric services in Merredin ceased in 2003, due to
GP obstetric services and obstetric anaesthetic cover no longer being available
and limited midwives able to provide services to low-risk maternity patients.
Obstetric services in Katanning ceased in 2012, due to GP obstetric services
and obstetric anaesthetic cover no longer being available.
(3) Extensive consultation with the local
communities, medical and nursing practitioners, Rural Health West, the
University of Western Australia Rural Clinical School of Western Australia, Western
Australian General Practice Education and Training, and King Edward Memorial
Hospital for Women was completed by WACHS prior to the cessation of services at
these three sites.
(4) Current birthing and obstetric services for
mothers in Northam and Merredin include community midwifery for antenatal and
postnatal care; admission for delivery to Narrogin hospital, St John of God
Midland Public Hospital for public or private services provided at that site,
and other metropolitan hospitals; follow-up postnatal admission at Northam
hospital following early discharge; and outpatient services for
medium-to-high-risk mothers by SJOG Midland Public Hospital. Current birthing
and obstetric services for mothers in Katanning include community midwifery
services for antenatal and postnatal care; and admission for delivery to Albany
and Narrogin hospitals, as well as all metropolitan facilities.
(5) Kaleeya Hospital's maternity and
neonatal services were transferred to Fiona Stanley Hospital on 2 December
2014, and Kaleeya Hospital's obstetric services were closed at that
time. Obstetric services at Swan District Hospital were transferred to St John
of God Midland Public Hospital on 24 November 2015.
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