28 April 2009

Bowral Hospital maternity

The NSW Government is committed to maintaining maternity services at Bowral and District Hospital.

Minister for Health, John Della Bosca, said 660 babies were delivered in the 12 months to the end of March 2009.

“Bowral accommodates low to moderate risk pregnancies with more complex cases transferred to Campbelltown or Liverpool Hospitals, this has been the case for more than a decade,” Mr Della Bosca said.

“One VMO and a number of locum specialist obstetricians and gynaecologists are covering all rostered shifts at Bowral, ensuring a full range of maternity services are available to expectant mothers 24 hours a day seven days a week.

“Sydney South West Area Health Service is currently advertising two vacant fulltime obstetrics positions, one following a retirement, but there is an Australia-wide shortage of specialist obstetricians and gynaecologists.

“Local services are very important to the NSW community and they are the door to the excellence of the entire health system.

“Sydney South West Area Health Service which is responsible for Bowral hospital, has been allocated $1.88 billion this financial year, an increase of $78.7 million,” the Minister said.

“This ongoing investment in health services is reflected in the great work undertaken at Bowral Hospital.

“Construction is on schedule for a new $3 million children’s ward which is due to be completed later this year.

“The refurbished ward will be great for the kids and allow parents to stay close to their children with the additional comfort of a lounge, toilet and shower facilities.
“This is a tremendous result for the local community which has been so supportive in ensuring children and their families have access to a facility that reflects today’s needs.

“A new Short Stay Unit was also opened in February where patients undergoing surgery who require day-only care are treated.

“It was purpose-built and includes a nurses’ station, direct access to the Emergency Department, toilet/shower facilities for disabled patients and facilities for renal dialysis patients,” Mr Della Bosca said.

“These upgrades enable the hard working doctors and nurses to continue to provide a high quality service to the local Bowral community,” the Minister said.

“While the NSW Government is providing a record budget for hospitals, the Opposition wants to introduce local boards which will divert $300 million – the equivalent of 3,500 nursing positions - from frontline services.

“Once again, Shadow Health Spokeswoman, Jillian Skinner, is using public hospitals, doctors and nurses as a political football – she will say anything to score cheap points, he added.”

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au