Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service has returned to full birthing services at Gladstone Hospital following a phased reintroduction of services since the service was placed on bypass in mid-2022.
Full birthing at Gladstone Hospital means that all expectant mothers with low-risk pregnancies, being 37 weeks or more gestation, can give birth closer to home at Gladstone Hospital.
As has always been the case, higher risk pregnancies will be referred to Rockhampton, which has more specialised support. The highest risk pregnancies have always been referred to tertiary hospitals and this will continue. Our multidisciplinary maternity care teams will continue to support expectant mothers to ensure they receive the best possible care in the safest location.
Getting to this point has meant extensive work being undertaken by CQ Health to recruit qualified medical professionals to cover long-term leave and vacancies, while also building a framework for the Maternity Care Network across Central Queensland that will deliver a safe and sustainable long-term solution for maternity care in the region.
Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive, Dr Emma McCahon, said she was thrilled to meet the health service’s commitment of returning full birthing to Gladstone by June 2023.
“Our multidisciplinary maternity care teams across Central Queensland have worked tirelessly to support expectant mothers and their families while birthing has been on bypass at Gladstone Hospital. I unreservedly thank them for ensuring we continue to deliver exemplary patient care during this period.
“I am thrilled we have returned to full birthing at Gladstone Hospital. We are returning to a service that is in a much better state than what we started with. Our team is stronger and we better understand what our community wants and needs from a maternity service. That will be reflected in how the service runs into the future.
“I know for many families this news will come with great relief. Since we began reinstating birthing in October 2022, we have seen more than half of our families birth at Gladstone. We are grateful we have been able to implement solutions in our staffing and in how we deliver our services to ensure we have a sustainable maternity service moving into the future.”
Expectant mothers will continue to be updated by their multidisciplinary maternity care team about birthing services, however those with concerns or questions are encouraged to phone or visit the Gladstone Hospital Women and Newborn Unit on (07) 4976 3258.