Mums’ closure shock
Epworth plans to shut down maternity ward
EXPECTING mums who were planning to have their babies at Epworth Geelong have spoken of their distress after learning its maternity service is slated to close.
A group of obstetricians from the Geelong Maternity Group, which is based at Epworth, wrote to patients from the hospital saying they were summoned with minimal notice to a meeting where they were informed of the decision to close the maternity unit and to cease all birthing services from March 1, 2023.
Despite Epworth saying there would be consultation, the letter stated “midwives and obstetricians have been informed that the unit will definitely close”. It said the announcement was a “terrible shock.”
“We are devastated by the news, as are our midwifery colleagues and our practice staff for whom the closure means the loss of their jobs,” it said.
The letter said the doctors were exploring all options for Geelong Maternity Group to continue patients’ care.
“We have petitioned the Epworth Executive to see out their commitment to all our booked patients, including those due to birth on or after 1 March 2023, but they have declined,” the letter said.
Epworth said earlier consultation regarding the proposal was under way and they are contacting all impacted patients. Epworth said if the proposal went ahead the maternity service would likely shut on March 1.
Torquay’s Kim Holding was scheduled to have her first child at the Waurn Ponds hospital in April and had her first appointment at Epworth on Monday. Later that day the 32year-old learned of its proposal to close its local maternity services. Ms Holding chose the hospital after she heard good feedback and because it was close to home. “It’s very stressful,” Ms Holding said. “It’s definitely not what you want to hear when you’re having your first baby … but at the same time we’re so lucky in Australia we have all this available.”
Ms Holding had begun reaching out to other maternity services. Her cousin Jess Powell was also due to have a baby at the Epworth in April. She had her first child, now aged one, at the hospital.
The Torquay resident said she was a “bit shocked” by the announcement.
“I thought it was going so well, and we had such a good experience last time,” Mrs Powell said. She is waiting for further information from the Epworth before proceeding to book a new hospital. “It is a little bit stressful,” she said.
On Tuesday, Epworth would not say how many staff worked at its Geelong maternity service and whether they would be let go. Epworth also would not say how many mums were booked in to have babies after March 1.
Epworth’s maternity ward is no longer taking new bookings. Dr Lachlan Henderson, group chief executive Epworth HealthCare, said: “We are actively working with our obstetricians to contact all impacted patients, ensuring they have the necessary support and information needed.”
A St John of God Geelong Hospital spokeswoman said its maternity redevelopment project is expected to be completed in July 2023.
Barwon Health spokeswoman Kate Bibby said the organisation would work with Epworth Geelong to support any transition of maternity services, should this process be required during or after the consultation process.
Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation Victorian branch secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick said the number of midwives was growing too slowly to keep up with the birthrate.
“We want to make sure Epworth Geelong has exhausted all initiatives and measures to ensure it is a competitive employer in the private maternity services sector,” she said.