An update on maternity care from Chief Executive Susan Gannon
I would like to provide a community update on maternity care at Mackay Base Hospital and let you know of some changes that are occurring next year.
The hospital is expanding to create another 128 beds and provide a new Women’s Health Unit, Birth Suites, Special Care Nursery and Child and Adolescent Unit.
This expansion will take place in the vacant area across from the Birth Centre.
This move is an opportunity to provide the Mackay Birth Centre with a new, contemporary space, however this means that the current building must be removed to make way for the hospital expansion.
We have investigated whether it is possible to relocate the Birth Centre, however due to its age and structural design this is unfortunately not an option.
This means that the last births in the current Birth Centre will be on 24 January 2024.
While this is relatively short notice the deadline is necessary to meet the critical path for the managing contractor. If we were not to meet it the health service would be in breach of contract.
I would like to reassure women who are booked to birth in the Birth Centre or who are considering using the Birth Centre that they will be provided with continuity of care from the midwives and the philosophy of the birth centre will be maintained as we go through this change.
We are undertaking the options assessment to deliver new Birth Centre off site from Mackay Base Hospital to support the aspirations expressed at our two engagement workshops.
The Health Capital Division will be working with us to continue to work closely with staff, consumers and the Friends to co-design an off-site facility. In the interim we are working to establish an off-site location for antenatal appointments. We will also be able to preserve the memorial rose garden and will replant this when the Birth Centre has a new home.
I appreciate this may be upsetting for some women to learn they may not be birthing in the current Birth Centre and want to share the considerable process in reaching decisions.
I have met with a wide-ranging group as we work through the many issues associated with this move.
This includes the Friends of the Birth Centre, representatives from Birth Centre midwives, the Women’s Health Unit and the Health Capital Division who are responsible for delivering the project. Over two meetings we extensively talked through options and considerations.
We have reached a consensus that for the interim period the Birth Centre midwives will support their women in the Women’s Health Unit. The service will work with the Birth Centre midwives and the Friends to ensure this space reflects the homely feel of the Birth Centre.
I have spent time listening to Birth Centre consumers and their passionate advocacy for the service. What I hear time and time again is the importance of the relationship and trust women build with their known midwife. I know that this will continue during the expansion.
I acknowledge the sentiment and deep attachment many women have to the current building and there will be an event for women and their families to farewell the building and celebrate 30 years of pioneering maternity care.
I am committed to open and transparent communication with staff and community through this process. I ask for community support as we work through this period of change. At the end of this journey we will have brand new, contemporary birthing rooms and a service that offers continuity of care to more women.
Please know the essence of Birth Centre will continue to be carried throughout this journey and into the next.