Open for business: Maternity services continue as normal at Narrabri District Health Service
Narrabri District Health Service has worked in partnership with specialist staff from John Hunter Hospital, Hunter New England Health management and a highly skilled team of local nursing staff to ensure maternity services have continued to operate as normal at the hospital.
Narrabri District Health Service Manager Sharon Simpson said maternity services had been provided as normal from the health service for the past two weeks, despite a short leave period arising from the local specialist anaesthetist last weekend.
“Working with our colleagues in Newcastle, we were successfully able to provide continual coverage for maternity services at Narrabri District Health Service,” Ms Simpson said.
“We are always working with our nursing team and network of specialists across Hunter New England Health to provide sufficient coverage to give our dedicated specialists a short reprieve as it is needed.
“In the event our anaesthetist or surgeon is unavailable to provide services for a short period of time, we have always, and will always continue to proactively seek locum coverage to ensure continual maternity service provision at Narrabri District Health Service.
“There are no plans to change the role of the local health service or the services offered by our clinicians,” Ms Simpson said.
Specialist anaesthetic and maternity services are supported by a team of highly skilled nursing and midwifery staff who are committed and always willing to carry additional responsibilities during unexpected periods of low specialist staffing.
“Recently, five of our Enrolled Nursing staff completed their medication endorsement,” Ms Simpson said.
“Three Registered Nurses are currently undertaking College of Nursing programs targeted towards the emergency department. We have a team of eight midwives, some with specialist skills in antenatal education, lactation, relaxation and reflexology who provide exceptional care to mothers and babies,” she said.
“We understand the challenges clinical shortages place on our doctors and nursing staff and we’ll continue to work closely with staff and associations such as the Rural Doctors Association to ensure the care we provide is safe and appropriate.
“We also recognise the dedication of the nurses, midwives and doctors who continue to provide the best possible care for the Narrabri community,” Ms Simpson said.
Contact: Nicole Fuller
Phone: (02) 6767 7136