Save Birthing in the Blue Mountains!
As of Monday 21st July, 2008, the maternity ward at Blue Mountains District ANZAC Memorial Hospital will be closed for at least 3 months and, until further notice.
This action effects many women already booked into the hospital and also takes away the rights of pregnant women to choose their place of birth in the Blue Mountains region.
The closure of the maternity unit may also cause problems for labouring women as they are forced to travel much longer distances to receive adequate care & as a result, they may be faced with unnecessary intervention. In the case of an emergency, the extra distance may have a huge impact on the birthing mother & baby.
A rally has been organised for this coming Monday, 21st July at 11am outside Katoomba Hospital
Please show your support by attending the rally & by forwarding this information on to family, friends & any members of the community that you have contact with. Bring placards/banners & balloons.
Everyone needs to attend to make the biggest impact possible!
Thank You.
July 22nd, 2008 07:26
Lots of media coverage, including TV on 7, 9 and 10.
Links below:
ABC
Sky
SMH
News Ltd
And Reba Heagher committing to reopen the ward soon:
ABC
July 25th, 2008 08:16
More maternity drama at Katoomba hospital in today’s SMH. This time accusing hospital administrators of forcing unsafe transfers to Nepean.
Presumably the response will be that the ward should be closed permanently to avoid this!