Local residents now have access to a more comprehensive maternity service
with the integration of maternity services across St George and Sutherland
Hospitals.
Co-Director Medical, Women’s and Children’s Health at St George and Sutherland
Hospitals, Professor Michael Chapman, said networking the two units was a
significant boost to maternity services across the region.
"Networking the two maternity services and managing them as one unit has led to
a more comprehensive maternity service for local residents and improved medical
coverage," Prof Chapman said.
"Junior and senior medical officers now work across both hospital sites and this
has enabled 24-hour registrar cover at both hospitals, providing maximum safety
for patients.
“The integrated service also involves the rotation of midwives and better
ensures midwives maintain a wide range of skills, for the benefit to patients."
Professor Chapman said networking the services had also allowed both hospitals
to better manage demand.
"There has been a 10 per cent rise in births across St George and Sutherland
Hospitals in the last 12 months," Prof Chapman said.
"By integrating these two services, Sutherland Hospital’s Maternity Service has
been able to establish itself as a centre of excellence in low risk maternity
care.
"This has made access to St George Hospital’s tertiary level care – where access
to a more developed paediatric facility for neonatal care is available – easier
to access for women with complicated pregnancies," he said.
Networking the services has also helped to attract more experienced clinical
staff to Sutherland Hospital with two additional staff specialists appointed to
the hospital in the last 12 months.
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
have also recognised an extra training post because of this amalgamation.
"The pattern of care for maternity patients has also been changed, allowing
greater continuity of care, with particular midwives looking after particular
patients," Prof Chapman said.
"This is part of the ongoing leading role that St George and Sutherland
Hospitals have played in the development of models of maternity care which are
recognised nationally."
Media Enquiries: Area Media Liaison Officer Maxine Brennan
9113 2601, 0413 028 776
