Media release – Emily Shepherd, ANMF Tasmanian Branch Secretary, 28 August 2024
Disappointing Response from Department to RHH Maternity Concerns
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) Tasmanian Branch is dismayed by the Department’s response to staffing concerns at the Royal Hobart Hospital.
Our midwifery members work on this unit 24/7 and have first have experience of staffing issues and the challenges that this presents.
Our members are unequivocal that there are staffing issues and safety concerns that are putting women and babies at risk.
The fact that the Department has not managed to accurately ascertain the concerns and clear evidence of safety risks is a further indictment on a broken and disconnected health system.
Further, it is disappointing sensitive information contained within personal communication between the ANMF and Tasmanian Health Service has been revealed in the media today, despite our best efforts to ensure that this did not occur, further highlighting the lack of understanding of this delicate situation.
The ANMF will continue to support our Midwifery members to ensure that they get the support and resources they need to practice safely and keep the women babies in their care safe also.
Media release – Cecily Rosol MP, Greens Health Spokesperson, 28 August 2024
Vital maternity care the latest hit by Liberal’s health staffing shortages
Reports from the ANMF about unsafe staffing levels at the Royal Hobart Hospital Maternity Unit are alarming.
Midwives do everything they can to care for mothers and their babies. The staffing shortages in the RHH Maternity Unit mean that midwives are struggling to ensure safe and quality care for those in need.
When there are only three midwives on shift overnight instead of the recommended nine, and they each have to care for 10-15 women and their babies, midwives just can’t provide the frequent and tailored care that is needed.
How have things deteriorated to the point where six women were still waiting to be induced over the weekend due to staff shortages in maternity? It’s putting mothers and babies at risk.
Again, the Rockliff Government has failed to listen and act on the concerns of health care professionals.
Nurses at the Emergency Department of the Launceston General Hospital and medical imagining workers at the RHH have both had to resort to industrial action in the last week over unsafe staffing levels. Midwife shortages in the maternity unit at the RHH are yet another sign of the Liberals failing patients.
The upcoming State Budget must include real funding for hospitals – but so far, the signs aren’t good.
The ANMF is clear, Tasmania needs a market allowance to attract and retain midwives, access to private hospitals for low-risk patients and aides and clerks on maternity wards 24 hours a day.
Expecting mothers shouldn’t have to worry about the quality and availability of care when they arrive at public hospitals. We implore the Liberals to listen to the ANMF, nurses and midwives.
