Just a month after Gosford Private Hospital announced it would close its maternity services in March next year, Gosford Hospital executives told the Staff Medical Council that its obstetrics and gynaecology services were at risk of going on bypass.
Women are to be notified if they cannot be supported at Gosford Hospital, the second-busiest maternity hospital outside Sydney.
Member for Terrigal and Shadow Minister for the Central Coast Adam Crouch is asking for answers from the State Government.
“A bypass of the only maternity service in the region would result in hundreds of expectant mothers needing to be diverted to hospitals in either Sydney or Newcastle,” he said.
“It was only a month ago that the Minns Labor Government assured our region that obstetric and gynaecological services would not be negatively impacted by the imminent closure of Gosford Private’s facilities.
“This news about the potential bypass of services reaffirms that the government is failing not only our local area health district, but young families right across our region.
“For the government to put additional pressures on expectant mothers to have to travel to Sydney or Newcastle to give birth is totally unacceptable.”
While the public health system is a state issue, Liberal candidate for Robertson in next year’s Federal election Lucy Wicks is also calling for answers.
“I’ve been out talking with women across the Central Coast, and a number of mums-to-be have told me that they are worried about the possibility of not being able to get the support they need at our local hospital when they give birth,” she said.
“Our community needs to be able to have access to birthing services locally, not in Sydney, and I’m calling on the Labor Member for Robertson Dr Gordon Reid to clearly tell us what his Government is going to do to ensure that our community is not left without these services.”
Federal Member for Robertson Dr Gordon Reid said he had strongly supported women’s access to healthcare since his election in 2022.
“I have spoken directly with my NSW State Government colleagues and conveyed the community’s concerns,” he said.
“I will also write to NSW Health Minister, Ryan Park, and formalise our community’s concerns in relation to maternity services at Gosford Hospital.
“As a practising health professional, I will always stand up and advocate for access and equity in healthcare for our Central Coast community.”
A spokesperson for Minister for the Central Coast and Member for Wyong David Harris said Health Minister Ryan Park had advised that the Central Coast Local Health District was consulting with clinicians and RANZCOG (The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists) on solutions to avoid a bypass of maternity services at Gosford Hospital.
The spokesperson said Harris had been advised that all steps were being taken to minimise any disruption of services, with plans in place to support women should any temporary changes be required.
“A comprehensive range of maternity services for Central Coast women, their babies and families is in place with capacity to support an anticipated increase in births at Gosford Hospital,” the spokesperson said.
“Gosford Hospital, like all maternity services in NSW is networked with other maternity services, ensuring women and their babies receive the safest care at the most appropriate facility.
“The Minister understands women will be contacted if there are any changes to their existing planned location of birth and should continue to present to Gosford Hospital unless otherwise advised.”
Terry Collins
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