Midwives quit en masse
By Liz Brooker
news@longreachleader.com.au
CENTRAL West health district manager June Lithgow spent last Friday calling in every favour she was owed in an effort to keep Longreach Hospital’s birthing unit open this week.
By 3pm on the preceding Wednesday Mrs Lithgow had received resignations from three of her five midwives.
Owing to the Queensland Health privacy act she was unable to release the names of the staff involved but stated the reasons were varied.
“One of them didn’t arrive to start work, one is unwell and the third, it’s very personal.”
When asked whether the “personal” issue was between Central West Health and the employee Mrs Lithgow declined to comment.
Without emergency intervention, Mrs Lithgow said staffing levels would have dropped so low that expectant mothers would have been forced to travel to Emerald or even Rockhampton to give birth.
“We couldn’t have provided 24 hour cover, which would mean we wouldn’t have been able to deliver any babies in Longreach.
“Attracting midwives here has been a big difficulty for a number of years but it’s not just a problem in the Central West district; it’s a worldwide issue.
“We are always under pressure, but three in the same day put us at a crisis level.
“I put the call out for help and we have got four coming here for a short period, which gives us a chance to again re-advertise the positions.”
The normal staffing quota at Longreach Hospital dictates five midwife positions plus a director of nursing.
Midwives from Barcaldine and the Redcliffe-Caboolture area are coming to Longreach to help as a stop-gap measure, along with the Acting Director of Nursing from Blackall, Gloria Butler.
“We will have things covered for the next couple of weeks.
“The community health staff around the region have really helped out to fill the gaps for us, but everyone is struggling.
“We need to develop a five-year plan.
“We have had the same advert running in the papers for months.
“I could spend the whole day trying to recruit for just one position.”
news@longreachleader.com.au
CENTRAL West health district manager June Lithgow spent last Friday calling in every favour she was owed in an effort to keep Longreach Hospital’s birthing unit open this week.
By 3pm on the preceding Wednesday Mrs Lithgow had received resignations from three of her five midwives.
Owing to the Queensland Health privacy act she was unable to release the names of the staff involved but stated the reasons were varied.
“One of them didn’t arrive to start work, one is unwell and the third, it’s very personal.”
When asked whether the “personal” issue was between Central West Health and the employee Mrs Lithgow declined to comment.
Without emergency intervention, Mrs Lithgow said staffing levels would have dropped so low that expectant mothers would have been forced to travel to Emerald or even Rockhampton to give birth.
“We couldn’t have provided 24 hour cover, which would mean we wouldn’t have been able to deliver any babies in Longreach.
“Attracting midwives here has been a big difficulty for a number of years but it’s not just a problem in the Central West district; it’s a worldwide issue.
“We are always under pressure, but three in the same day put us at a crisis level.
“I put the call out for help and we have got four coming here for a short period, which gives us a chance to again re-advertise the positions.”
The normal staffing quota at Longreach Hospital dictates five midwife positions plus a director of nursing.
Midwives from Barcaldine and the Redcliffe-Caboolture area are coming to Longreach to help as a stop-gap measure, along with the Acting Director of Nursing from Blackall, Gloria Butler.
“We will have things covered for the next couple of weeks.
“The community health staff around the region have really helped out to fill the gaps for us, but everyone is struggling.
“We need to develop a five-year plan.
“We have had the same advert running in the papers for months.
“I could spend the whole day trying to recruit for just one position.”
posted by dr mcgillicudy's cudsong at 3:20 PM
1 Comments:
It is unfortunate that headlines and sensation are the goal of the local paper rather than facts. Three midwives did NOT quit. One midwife did NOT refuse to attend work. One midwife who is extremely dedicated to the work she provides to the community is already feels guilty that her illness has caused a strain on the maternity unit and this pathetic grab for headlines will only highten her guilt and possibly make her return to work before she is ready or capable. I hope you are proud of yourselves.
The Longreach hospital provides excellent birthing care for the women in the central west with a safety level that is second to none. It has been my experience that the community does not appreciate the high level of care they already receive here and negative pathetic reporting like this only further undermines their confidence.
While it is true that a shortage of midwive may force a closure so is it also true that a continued declining birth rate at the facility will not entice midwives to stay. If the community wants maternity services in its area they are going to have to support it - use it or lose it!
It is my understanding that the doctors, midwives and management of the Longreach hospital are dedicated to keeping the unit open and are working hard for the community. It is about time their dedication is acknowledged instead of continually criticised through the local media.
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