Member for Wagga Wagga Dr Joe McGirr is calling on the Murrumbidgee Local Health District and Minister for Health Ryan Park to reinstate obstetric birthing services at Tumut District Hospital, as patients are currently required to travel 80 minutes to Wagga Wagga to receive care. Photo: MLHD.
Wagga MP Dr Joe McGirr is calling on the Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) and Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park to ensure Tumut reinstates its obstetric birthing services.
Currently, Tumut District Hospital does not offer birthing services for women, which means patients have to travel up to 80 minutes from Tumut to receive care at Wagga Base Hospital.
According to a media release from Dr McGirr, a doctor “currently providing those services has had restrictions placed on his practice”, causing patients to travel further for adequate care.
Due to the lack of available care, Dr McGirr has written to Minister Park and the health district to seek assurances that replacement GP obstetric birthing services will be sought to allow mothers to give birth in Tumut, when safe and appropriate.
In the interim, Dr McGirr said it was unacceptable that towns such as Tumut were missing out on what he believes to be essential services.
“While I understand that due process must be followed, the fact remains that it is unacceptable for the Tumut community to remain without GP obstetric birthing services,” Dr McGirr said.
“I share the community’s concerns over this development and have asked the minister and the MLHD to take the steps necessary to ensure GP obstetric birthing services continue.
“It’s essential that the health service clearly communicates its plans to the community.”
Dr McGirr said the regional maternity services were continuing to take a hit across regional NSW, with Tumut potentially becoming another victim.
“This matter highlights the fragility of maternity services in regional NSW, and I continue to press the minister to outline the government’s progress towards releasing its maternity action plan as a key step towards enhancing and protecting services to the regions.
“It also highlights the importance of my rural health action plan, which aims to provide rural, regional and remote communities with the health care they need and deserve, and I will continue to work with the government to adopt the sensible and cost-effective reforms outlined in the plan.”
Despite concerns over the potential cut of obstetric birthing services in Tumut, MLHD’s interim chief executive Carla Bailey said it was committed to providing safe services.
“Murrumbidgee Local Health District is committed to providing maternity services which are safe, timely and woman-centred,” she said.
“We understand and acknowledge that women and their families want to give birth as close to home as possible, and we apologise that this is not currently possible at Tumut District Hospital.
“Planned birthing services are currently being coordinated with Wagga Wagga Base Hospital. Midwives at Tumut District Hospital will work with women to review their individualised birthing plans in accordance with statewide networked arrangements.
“Maternity services in NSW, including in Murrumbidgee, are networked, ensuring women and their babies receive the safest maternity and neonatal care they require at the most appropriate facility. We continually work with women to ensure they have care plans in place should changes be required.”
Ms Bailey said MLHD was also actively seeking doctors to fill gaps in services that are missing or limited.
“We remain committed to reinstating birthing services as soon as possible,” she said.
“Murrumbidgee Local Health District is currently recruiting for additional GP obstetrician coverage at Tumut Hospital.
“Murrumbidgee Local Health District is reviewing the visiting medical officer contract of Dr Osman Darwiche at Tumut Hospital to ensure it complies with conditions placed on his registration by the Medical Council of NSW.
“Local midwifery services continue to be available at Tumut District Hospital, including midwifery care before and after birth as part of the Midwifery Antenatal Postnatal Service (MAPS).”
