The Canberra Liberals have raised considerations concerning the lack of midwives at Canberra’s second-largest hospital after the ACT authorities took over it.
Key factors:
- Eleven midwives have left the hospital because the ACT authorities acquired it, and 10 of the 11 took redundancies
- Canberra Liberals well being spokeswoman Leanne Castley says the departures could have a “huge affect”
- The Senate has voted towards a invoice that may have compelled the ACT authorities to carry an inquiry into its hospital takeover
For many years, the North Canberra Hospital, previously often known as Calvary Public Hospital, was run by the Catholic organisation Calvary Well being Care.
However the ACT authorities acquired it compulsorily in July, asserting plans to construct a brand new $1 billion hospital on the location.
Because the takeover got here into impact, 11 midwives have left, of whom 10 accepted redundancy packages.
Opposition well being spokeswoman Leanne Castley stated that was “11 too many”.
“The [union] informed us within the nursing and midwifery inquiry that even one employees member leaving would have a large affect on the unit,” she stated.
Ms Castley acknowledged there was a nationwide scarcity of midwives, however stated it was clear employees have been “leaving the ACT”.
“The thought of taking on Calvary was to have the ability to unfold the providers, however clearly that hasn’t been working,” she stated.
“It is essential for the minister to have a look at all choices and work out what must be finished.”
Ms Castley stated the Canberra Liberals have been nonetheless creating the insurance policies on midwifery and the well being workforce that the social gathering would take to the 2024 election.
Workforce losses are ‘substantial’: well being minister
Well being Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith acknowledged the lack of 10 midwives was “vital”.
However Ms Stephen-Smith stated it was improper to conclude that every midwife who had left the hospital did so due to the transition to authorities management.
“There have been individuals who have been additionally considering: ‘Do I actually wish to preserve doing this?’ and took the chance to depart in the course of the transition interval,” she stated.
“That is an ongoing situation within the ACT and throughout the nation … there’s a scarcity of midwives.”
Ms Stephen-Smith stated Canberra Well being Companies had since recruited a number of company midwives who have been anticipated to remain of their roles in the long run.
Senate bid to drive an inquiry into takeover fails
In the meantime, a invoice in federal parliament, which might have successfully compelled the ACT to carry an inquiry into its takeover of the hospital, was defeated within the Senate at the moment.
The proponent of the invoice, Queensland LNP senator Matt Canavan, stated that whereas he needed to present ACT residents extra enter into the choice, they’d make their verdict identified on the subsequent ACT election.
“Ultimately, the Canberra individuals could have their say on the behaviour of their very own authorities,” Senator Canavan stated.
ACT impartial senator David Pocock agreed.
Final week, Ms Stephen-Smith labelled the Senate debate “a waste of time”.
“It was clearly a stunt from Senator Canavan from begin to end … to make a broader, nationwide political level — I do not assume it was ever actually about what was occurring within the ACT,” she stated.
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