New birthing suite lays dormant as hospital fails to find staff
Women are unable to give birth at a new birthing suite in northern New South Wales as the sector struggles with a nationwide shortage of GP obstetricians in regional areas.
Gunnedah Hospital unveiled a new birthing suite in January, but has been unable to recruit GP obstetricians, leaving women unable to give birth at the facility. Advocates say the recruitment challenge is a full-blown national crisis. The federal government is developing a National Maternity Workforce Strategy to address the issue.
A broader $53 million redevelopment of the hospital was also unveiled in January. Carmen Carslake, who planned to give birth in Gunnedah, was unable to use the new birthing suite and had to travel to Tamworth for her C-section. HNELHD stated that ongoing recruitment efforts have been unsuccessful in securing GP obstetricians. Recruitment is also underway to address bottlenecks at other regional hospitals in New South Wales, including Tumut, Parkes, and Scone.
The National Association of Specialist Obstetricians and Gynaecologists President Elizabeth Jackson called the recruitment challenge a full-blown national crisis.
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