Maternity wing unlikely to re-open

There seems little chance of Katanning Hospital’s maternity ward re-opening for births any time soon, despite a petition to the State Government signed by local mothers last year.

In a letter sent in reply to the petition, Health Minister Kim Hames said the suspension of the birthing services at Katanning was because of the departure of the GP workforce required to maintain a 24-hour on call GP obstetrics roster essential for a safe obstetric service.

“I have been assured by WA Country Health Service Great Southern that all avenues for recommencing a safe and affordable service are being pursued,” he wrote in the letter.

According to the letter, WACHS are conducting an ongoing recruitment program through the Southern Inland Health Initiative, Rural Health West, WACHS and the Department of Health’s International Recruitment Bureau to recruit appropriate staff.

Antenatal and postnatal care continues to be provided by Katanning hospital midwives as well as engagement with local GPs.

Member for O’Connor and petition author Rick Wilson said he intended to continue to pursue the matter.

“I plan to meet the manager of WACHS Great Southern to find a way of sorting out this issue,” he said.

Key campaigner in the petition, Paula Bolto, said local mothers would continue to fight for the ward’s reopening.

“We haven’t forgotten about it, we will still keep on trying,” she said.

“There is a lot of communication lacking for soon-to-be mothers in the region about what they need to do in order to plan their births.”

Mrs Bolto has also been contacted to take part in a study into maternity services in rural Australia.

“That’s a positive, it has brought awareness on the issue,” she said.

Mrs Bolto, Mr Wilson and a group of Katanning women launched the petition in June last year, calling on more to be done to reopen the hospital’s maternity ward, which closed in May 2012.

The petition gained more than 4000 signatures from across the region.