WA Country Health denies Opposition fears that Carnarvon maternity services will be permanently closed

More than 70 expectant mothers have been forced to travel hundreds of kilometres from Carnarvon to Geraldton or Perth to have their babies since the town’s maternity services were suspended six months ago. It was revealed in Parliament this week that 71 women in Carnarvon have been affected by the maternity shutdown, which came into effect in February. They have either travelled almost 500km each way to Geraldton or nearly 900km each way to Perth. In answers to questions asked by the Opposition, the government failed to confirm when these services would return to Carnarvon. The cancellation of maternity services was triggered by a severe shortage of midwives. “A date for resumption of maternity services is still to be determined based on workforce sustainability to provide a continuous birthing service,” Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said. All of the 71 affected women have been offered travel and accommodation reimbursement, with 22 accepting and being paid a combined amount so far of $50,000. Further reimbursements are still being processed. Shadow regional health minister Martin Aldridge said he had “grave concerns” about maternity services returning to Carnarvon after the minister failed to provide a date for services would resume. He called on the minister to rule out permanent closure and announce a timeframe for maternity services to resume at Carnarvon Health Campus. “At this stage, there appears to be no plan to reopen maternity services in Carnarvon, meaning hundreds of families each year will have to travel up to 1000km to access maternity services in Geraldton or Perth,” Mr Aldridge said. “Despite a promise that maternity services would be restored as soon as possible, we are now six months down the track with no date set for resuming services.” WA Country Health Service Mid West regional director Rachele Ferrari hit back at Mr Aldridge’s claim that the lack of maternity services in Carnarvon could become permanent. She said the situation in Carnarvon was interim and was a direct result of workforce pressures. “WACHS is absolutely committed to re-establishing the service as soon as possible and has no plans to remove maternity services permanently,” she said. Antenatal and postnatal services continue to be provided in Carnarvon.