The ACT Government is continuing to improve women’s health care as part of the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children Expansion Project, with a brand new, purpose-built Maternity Assessment Unit and new Gynaecology Day Unit ready to welcome its first patients tomorrow.
Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said the new Maternity Assessment Unit has doubled its capacity to provide planned and unplanned assessments for women and pregnant people in the second half of their pregnancy, in early labour or in the first two weeks after giving birth.
“This midwifery-led maternity unit will now provide eight bed spaces and has been relocated to be closer to the Birthing Unit, improving service efficiencies for women in need of pregnancy-related assessments,” Minister Stephen-Smith said.
“Canberra Health Services has also introduced a new model of care to accompany the new maternity unit, with a 24-hour, seven days a week service and a triaged-based system to ensure pregnant people get the right service at the right time.”
The new unit includes upgraded equipment and infrastructure, and the employment of an additional 8 full-time equivalent midwives to support the changing model of care.
“Women and pregnant people who need a maternity assessment during pregnancy or after birth can self-refer and call the service (02 5124 7444) to speak to one of the wonderful midwives. They will assess the situation and offer appropriate advice, which may include asking them to come to the Maternity Assessment Unit,” Minister Stephen-Smith said.
“The team can do a comprehensive assessment, including medical and obstetric history, any new symptoms or concerns, and will also clinically assess the baby’s wellbeing. People can also be referred to the new unit by a health professional.”
Minister Stephen-Smith also announced the completion of the Gynaecology Day Unit, a new service that provides a dedicated procedure suite for adolescents and adult women who require gynaecological treatment.
“The new suite is equipped with its own change room and toilet and provides a more supportive environment for the sensitive, person-centred care each patient needs when they are feeling particularly vulnerable,” Minister Stephen-Smith said.
“The suite has also been designed so it can share the reception, waiting and support services with Gynaecological outpatients to improve procedural flows within the service.
“I am pleased that with the completion of these two new services, the $50 million Centenary Hospital for Women and Children Expansion Project is continuing to meet the increasing demand for maternity, gynaecological, paediatric and neonatal health care services across the Territory and surrounding region,” Minister Stephen-Smith said.
