❓ Question regarding the closure of the maternity ward at St John of God Bunbury and the government's plan to manage the influx of patients at Bunbury Regional Hospital and attract/retain midwives in WA. The answer clarifies that St John of God is a private entity and outlines government strategies.
AnsweredQoN 506Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
BUNBURY REGIONAL
HOSPITAL — MIDWIVES
506. Hon SOPHIA MOERMOND to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Health:
I refer to the closure of the maternity
ward at St John of God Bunbury Regional Hospital and the claim that a chronic
shortage of employed midwives led to the decision.
(1) How is
Bunbury Regional Hospital preparing for the influx of transferring patients?
(2) How is the
government working to attract and maintain midwives across Western Australia?
HOSPITAL — MIDWIVES
506. Hon SOPHIA MOERMOND to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Health:
I refer to the closure of the maternity
ward at St John of God Bunbury Regional Hospital and the claim that a chronic
shortage of employed midwives led to the decision.
(1) How is
Bunbury Regional Hospital preparing for the influx of transferring patients?
(2) How is the
government working to attract and maintain midwives across Western Australia?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question. The following has been provided by the Minister
for Health.
(1)–(2) St
John of God is a private health provider that made a business decision to close
maternity services at its Bunbury hospital.
The WA Country Health Service is working to ensure Bunbury Regional Hospital is
ready for the transition of service, including working to secure
additional bed capacity and increasing staffing capacity. Additionally, as part of the Bunbury Regional Hospital
redevelopment, the state government will deliver 20 new maternity beds. WA Health has a range of strategies to
attract and maintain midwives across Western Australia, including
providing $12 000 in HECS support to graduate nurses to live and work in our
regions, the student midwifery model pilot and the country nursing and
midwifery incentive program.
some notice of the question. The following has been provided by the Minister
for Health.
(1)–(2) St
John of God is a private health provider that made a business decision to close
maternity services at its Bunbury hospital.
The WA Country Health Service is working to ensure Bunbury Regional Hospital is
ready for the transition of service, including working to secure
additional bed capacity and increasing staffing capacity. Additionally, as part of the Bunbury Regional Hospital
redevelopment, the state government will deliver 20 new maternity beds. WA Health has a range of strategies to
attract and maintain midwives across Western Australia, including
providing $12 000 in HECS support to graduate nurses to live and work in our
regions, the student midwifery model pilot and the country nursing and
midwifery incentive program.
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