Birthing services at Castlemaine Health remain suspended until the recommendations of an independent review are implemented.
The board of Castlemaine Health suspended maternity services from 16 May, with the support of Safer Care Victoria and the Department of Health and Human Services, and commissioned a review.
The review was undertaken by obstetrician Dr Rupert Sherwood and midwife Lisa Smith. Their findings were released in a report on 19 June. Read the review summary.
Castlemaine Health is recruiting a clinical lead midwife and will follow the review’s recommendations to introduce a new model of maternity care, and new clinical and governance processes.
A clinical governance group, which will include an ANMF representative, will lead the implementation of the review’s recommendations.
In a statement released on 25 June Castlemaine Health said antenatal services would continue locally and pathways developed for women giving birth at Bendigo Health to continue hospital care at Castlemaine post-birth.
The statement says: ‘We will be putting in additional resources and doing everything possible to resume birthing at Castlemaine Health as soon as possible. However, the health and wellbeing of our mothers and babies is paramount. We will be guided by the progress of the implementation plan in making our final call on when our local mothers will again be giving birth in Castlemaine.’
Castlemaine Health has continued to consult with ANMF and members throughout this process.
