MATERNITY HOSPITALS

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (15:40): In an article in The Advertiser of 12 October, Matt Williams writes about a waiting list at the Burnside maternity hospital where expectant mothers are being advised to seek alternative hospitals if they are going to deliver in March of next year. Burnside is the place of birth of both my grandchildren so I know a little of the hospital and admire the work it did in relation to my family. Burnside hospital chief executive Nick Warden is quoted as saying, 'The hospital has become very popular.'

When I gave birth, I used the Queen Victoria maternity hospital, albeit 27 years ago, because the obstetrician to whom I was referred by my GP used that hospital. Dr Ross Sweet was, I was assured, an excellent obstetrician, and I found him to be so once we developed the sort of relationship so necessary for first-time mothers. I had no hesitation seeking him out again for my second baby and found him 18 years later still delivering babies, only then at the Women's and Children's Hospital, from where I believe he has only recently wound back his professional activities.

I raise these experiences because they highlight the personal connections and referrals involved and the choices to be made when a baby is on the way. Now we understand that there will be one single number which GPs will be able to ring to book mothers in or advise them where there are places for them to give birth. For me at that time it was knowing I had the best possible care and I believe for women these days the decision is still based on the same fact. It is also about preparation for the birth and understanding what will happen and feeling empowered for the birth of your baby.

In speaking on this subject today, I want to look at two aspects of birthing: the facilities and professional health staff available to mothers and the rising statistics around caesarean sections and interventions in what should be a natural process. We have recently seen a change in service delivery within this state around birthing, particularly at the Modbury public hospital, which will soon advise its mothers to be to use the Lyell McEwin Health Service or the Women's and Children's Hospital. In particular, the Lyell McEwin Health Service is capable of handling most of the approximately 700 extra births that it will share with the Women's and Children's Hospital. There has been significant expenditure on infrastructure and works at the Lyell McEwin Health Service, which now has, I think, arguably the state's best birthing unit.

On a couple of recent visits to the hospital I have seen the birthing suites and the neonatal nursery. I have spoken to the staff there and spoken to people using the facilities. Expectant parents have their own 24-hour entrance to the hospital, with easy access and parking. The staff, many of whom will be those who have worked at the Modbury public hospital and will indeed continue to work at the Modbury public hospital, which will still provide antenatal and post-natal care, are excellent, and I do not think anyone doubts that. It is a question of the number of staff we have in the state to be shared between the facilities offering birthing options. It is important that people having babies know where to go.

Mothers who give birth at the Lyell McEwin Health Service also have access to the wonderful Mother-Carer Program, which I am sure everyone here is familiar with, which offers three hours of help every day for several weeks. If mothers are well and happy enough to discharge themselves soon after birthing, they can avail themselves of this world-class service. No-one is forced to leave hospital early after birthing, and I certainly have never heard a story of such a case and, if there is such a case, it needs to be brought out and the circumstances around it examined. Every doctor I have spoken to at every maternity hospital in the state assures me that no-one is forced to leave.

What I am proposing for Modbury public hospital at this time is a midwifery-led, low-risk birthing unit. I know the midwives have put in a submission to the birthing network in this state. I support that, as I hope all members will, for a couple of very important reasons. Such models are showing great promise elsewhere and would be a welcome addition not only to the services in the north-east but also to the alternatives available to expectant mothers here in this state. Birthing trends have, indeed, changed. Women are having fewer babies and leaving it to later to have them. The latter is having a great impact, especially with respect to the actual birthing process. Birth is a natural occurrence that has some danger, unfortunately, and I am told the 4 per cent peri-natal mortality rate is factored into worldwide statistics.

Here in Australia we rightly hope every mother and every child will give birth without mishap but, unfortunately, risk is still involved and has perhaps encouraged a greater caesarean rate, as have increases in the cost of medical indemnity insurance. Should the caesarean rate continue to increase, the knowledge around natural birthing will be lost and with it the ability for young mums with no indication of complication to experience birth without intervention. This highlights the importance of the midwifery-led unit, allowing the women's business to proceed at nature's natural pace unless otherwise indicated. If you have any complications at any hospital in the state, you are always transferred to a larger public facility.

Time expired.