An all too familiar story..................

NSW Health apologises to Blue Mountains mothers
BY SHANE DESIATNIK
17 Feb, 2010 09:47 AM

NSW Health has apologised to expectant mothers for not notifying them in advance of temporary closures of Katoomba Hospital’s maternity unit and advised “occasional” closures will continue to occur due to a shortage of medical specialists.

Birthing services at the hospital were shut down on January 15, January 20 and for an extended period between January 26 and February 1 due to an anaesthetist and/or paediatrician shortage.

Sydney West Area Health Service (SWAHS) western cluster general manager Kevin Hedge told the Gazette on Monday “unfortunately, it would appear that not all women (due to give birth in mid to late January) received advanced notice of the disruptions to birthing services (at Katoomba Hospital)”.

“This is unacceptable and the hospital would like to sincerely apologise for any distress that this has caused.

“Hospital staff will ensure that communication is improved and that women are advised in advance in the event of any future disruptions to birthing services,” he said.

“In the event of any disruptions to birthing services, (Katoomba) Hospital staff will facilitate safe transfer to birthing services at Nepean or Lithgow hospitals, in consultation with prospective mothers, to ensure safe care for them and their babies.”

Last October an anaesthetist and nine supporting medical staff were recruited at Katoomba Hospital after the hospital’s maternity ward was closed for one quarter of all days in the first four months of 2009.

Mr Hedge said the hospital continues to do all it can to minimise any disruptions to birthing services, but added “the global shortage of some medical specialists, including anaesthetists, continues to pose a challenge in staffing the hospital’s maternity services consistently”.

Blue Mountains Hospital Equity and Access Lobby (HEAL) spokesperson Janet Mays expressed concern at the maternity unit closures and a recent spate of bed closures at Katoomba Hospital.

“We understand three beds were closed in the hospital’s mental health unit since December 29, eight beds remain closed in the rehabilitation unit and a further eight beds are closed in the children’s ward,” said Ms Mays.

“The hospital is a vital part of the social and economic fabric of our community and HEAL will keep highlighting these issues to help ensure the need for locally provided basic primary healthcare services remains top of mind for our State decision makers.”