NSW maternity staffing changes spark concern among midwives, expectant mums
ABCPregnant nurse Teagan Beeby felt "pure fear" when she was told about midwifery roster cuts at her workplace. Nurses and Midwives Association Port Macquarie branch president Mark Brennan said roster changes would lead to two rather than three midwives rostered per day shift at the hospital from mid-January. However, the ABC has been told by the union and midwives from Port Macquarie Base Hospital that the changes to midwife day shift rostering from three to two were communicated at a recent staff meeting. Christmas transfers NMA Port Macquarie said the changes to the roster at the hospital were coming ahead of a move that would see all high-risk maternity patients transferred to Port Macquarie from Kempsey District Hospital for 10 days from December 20. Australian Medical Association President and obstetrician Kathryn Austin said maternity services across the state had "hit breaking point".
History of this topic
Decline in patient numbers blamed for closure of Gosford Private Hospital's maternity ward
ABC
Critical shortage of midwives forces indefinite closure of Whyalla Hospital birthing services
ABC
Pregnant mothers turned away from Perth hospitals amid health worker shortage
ABC
Maternity services the 'canary in the coalmine' for regional NSW healthcare
ABC
National president of AMA slams hospitals for sending new mothers home within 4 hours
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