For maternity patients Shellharbour hospital is like a mirage on the horizon. You can see it - but the moment you have a need it simply fades from sight !
In 1986 the maternity ward had twenty-two beds. Since then those beds have reduced to eighteen - then twelve - then ten - then six - and finally the ward was entirely closed.
It is expected to reopen on December 21 - with just four beds !
At the same time the maternity facilities at Wollongong hospital are under such stress that four experienced midwives have thrown in the towel, resigned for a less stressful life. It wouldn't take a brain like Einstein to figure out that there is a lot wrong with the maternity system in the Illawarra.
The main problem is that specialist doctors simply refuse to travel to Shellharbour. They live in the affluent suburbs near Wollongong hospital and their credo is - " Make the patients travel to us " !
Such doctors are in such short supply in Australia that they rule the roost - and what they want is what they get !
There is also the matter of such problems being swept under the carpet by the state government.
This government is vocal on the need for whistleblowers to be protected, but at the same time it has written into hospital employees contracts the provision that speaking publicly on any matter can result in instant termination.
Whatever happened to free speech ?
The lack of maternity facilities at Shellharbour bucks against statistical trends. The Illawarra population is expanding and that growth is concentrated in the new suburbs south of Shellharbour. These house young people who are starting their families - but for the convenience of the government and the doctors the maternity facilities are concentrated at a hospital a half hours drive away.
It is time for a change of thinking - and a reallocation of services to where they are most needed !
No comments:
Post a Comment