❓ Mr. Love questions the government on the suspension of birthing services at Carnarvon Hospital and the support for expectant mothers. The government details recruitment efforts, incentives, birth locations, and commitment to safe maternity services.
AnsweredQoN 744Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the continued suspension of birthing services at Carnarvon Hospital and the impact on expectant mothers in the Gascoyne region, and I ask : (a) What steps has the Government taken since the suspension of birthing services at Carnarvon Hospital to reinstate the service, including specific recruitment actions undertaken for suitably qualified midwives, obstetricians, and support staff? ; (b) What allowances, incentives, or other benefits are currently offered to attract and retain maternity and obstetric staff in Carnarvon, and how do these compare to similar incentives offered in other difficult-to-staff regional locations? ; (c) Has the Government considered increasing incentives or allowances for Carnarvon to address the recruitment challenges, and if so, what changes have been proposed or implemented? ; (d) For each quarter in the last three years, can the Minister provide: (i) The number of women recorded as pregnant while residing in Carnarvon; and; and (ii) The number of births that have occurred in Carnarvon Hospital during the same period; (e) For the same quarterly periods, how many Carnarvon residents gave birth in : (i) Geraldton; (ii) Perth; (iii) Bunbury; (iv) other Western Australian regional hospitals; and (v) interstate or other locations; (f) What options are currently available to women in Carnarvon regarding place of birth, and what support is provided for travel and accommodation; (g) Has the Government explored the use of a Medihotel facility in Carnarvon or Geraldton to support expectant mothers who must travel to give birth, and if so: (i) What was the outcome of that consideration; and (ii) If it was rejected, what were the reasons; and (h) Will the Government commit to funding and implementing a safe, sustainable, and continuous maternity service in Carnarvon, and if not, why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
15 October 2025
Responded by
Minister for Health
Response time
6 days
(a) WA Country Health Service, with support from the State Government has:
Ongoing medical recruitment, including increasing rural generalist pathway initiatives.
From February 2022 to August 2025, there have been six (6) recruitment drives for General Practitioner (GP) Anaesthetists (GPA). From February 2022 to April 2025, there have been five (5) recruitment drives for Midwives.
WACHS has open ended midwifery recruitment pools with targeted boosted advertising on relevant recruitment platforms. From April to August 2025 two midwife applications were received for Canarvan, and both were successfully recruited.
Continued the WA Country Health Service Paid Student Midwifery Model where eligible country nurses are supported to complete the 18-month postgraduate program with flexible working arrangements, course fees, access to clinical facilitators and travel to the metropolitan area for study weeks
Invested in supporting maternity staff working in Carnarvon and other sites with the Midwifery and Obstetric Emergency Telehealth Service, education and training and remote monitoring support.
(b)
The creation of Endorsed Midwife pool for streamlined recruitment to vacancies. Successful negotiation of WA Midwifery Annualised Salaried Agreement that has created new and enhanced career pathways and is an attraction and retention tool.
(c) The WA Government has agreed to a new industrial award for doctors that recognises the skills and value of specialist General Practitioners and incentivises specialist Rural General Practitioners, a key medical workforce required for rural maternity services.
(d) See below:
(i) Since the closure in February 2022, there has been a total of 336 pregnant women referred to the Carnarvon Midwifery services.
(ii) Two births at Carnarvon Health Campus since February 2022.
(e) See below:
(i) Geraldton - 50
(ii) Perth - 263
(iii) Bunbury - 3
(iv) Other Regional Hospitals - 19
(v) Interstate - 1
(f) Expectant mothers can choose from a variety of State public and private birthing services in Western Australia, with considerations relating to the management of any clinical risks.
Pregnant women who are required to travel from Carnarvon to give birth are eligible for full reimbursement of travel, accommodation, meals, and additional fuel expenses.
(g) No
(i) Not applicable
(ii) Not applicable
(h) The Government is committed to implementing safe and sustainable maternity services in Carnarvon.
Ongoing medical recruitment, including increasing rural generalist pathway initiatives.
From February 2022 to August 2025, there have been six (6) recruitment drives for General Practitioner (GP) Anaesthetists (GPA). From February 2022 to April 2025, there have been five (5) recruitment drives for Midwives.
WACHS has open ended midwifery recruitment pools with targeted boosted advertising on relevant recruitment platforms. From April to August 2025 two midwife applications were received for Canarvan, and both were successfully recruited.
Continued the WA Country Health Service Paid Student Midwifery Model where eligible country nurses are supported to complete the 18-month postgraduate program with flexible working arrangements, course fees, access to clinical facilitators and travel to the metropolitan area for study weeks
Invested in supporting maternity staff working in Carnarvon and other sites with the Midwifery and Obstetric Emergency Telehealth Service, education and training and remote monitoring support.
(b)
The creation of Endorsed Midwife pool for streamlined recruitment to vacancies. Successful negotiation of WA Midwifery Annualised Salaried Agreement that has created new and enhanced career pathways and is an attraction and retention tool.
(c) The WA Government has agreed to a new industrial award for doctors that recognises the skills and value of specialist General Practitioners and incentivises specialist Rural General Practitioners, a key medical workforce required for rural maternity services.
(d) See below:
(i) Since the closure in February 2022, there has been a total of 336 pregnant women referred to the Carnarvon Midwifery services.
(ii) Two births at Carnarvon Health Campus since February 2022.
(e) See below:
(i) Geraldton - 50
(ii) Perth - 263
(iii) Bunbury - 3
(iv) Other Regional Hospitals - 19
(v) Interstate - 1
(f) Expectant mothers can choose from a variety of State public and private birthing services in Western Australia, with considerations relating to the management of any clinical risks.
Pregnant women who are required to travel from Carnarvon to give birth are eligible for full reimbursement of travel, accommodation, meals, and additional fuel expenses.
(g) No
(i) Not applicable
(ii) Not applicable
(h) The Government is committed to implementing safe and sustainable maternity services in Carnarvon.
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