Women's and Children's Hospital

745 Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (25 August 2021). At the new Women's and Children's Hospital, will there be a separately identified and self-contained birthing centre of 2-3 birthing rooms, operating within a birthing centre philosophy, and as a separate department from the proposed general birthing suite?

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER (Morialta—Minister for Education): The Minister for Health and Wellbeing has been advised:

The birthing centre will be co-located within the new Women's and Children's Hospital (WCH) delivery suite.

The birthing centre's identity will be developed through wayfinding and the interior design. All necessary support spaces, such as a consult room will be provided.

The birthing centre philosophy is incorporated in all delivery suite rooms by the known midwife who provides continuity of care.

The new WCH Delivery Suite rooms will all provide evidence-based women centred care. All rooms will provide options for a low intervention labour and birth, and will allow for additional resources to provide the mother and baby the necessary medical support, if required. This will prevent moving women from the Birthing Centre to the delivery suite rooms whilst in labour, which currently occurs.

The integration of midwifery group practice in the birthing centre, enables flexibility for an increase in the service delivery and promotes women centred care approach.