From today Whyalla hospital will not longer offer birthing services.
A “critical midwifery workforce shortage by Health authorities has been blamed ” for the indefinite suspension the service.
Women due to give birth there will have to find an alternative hospital with Flinders and Upper North Local Health Network Chief Executive Craig Packard saying staff were working with each woman who was due to give birth imminently to arrange alternative locations.
He stated the decision has been made to ensure that women are able to deliver their babies in the safest way possible,
Health authorities say they are trying to recruit midwives so the services can be reinstated as soon as possible
Mr Packard said antenatal and post-natal care services would still be available at the Whyalla Hospital and medical staff would still be there to respond to maternal emergencies, such as those who may already be in labour, even early stages.
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation SA has been pushing for increased incentives to attract more nurses and midwives to regional areas, with estimations that South Australia will be short by 15,000 nurses and midwives by 2025.
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