Confirmation that the Andrews Labor Government failed to act on warnings of critical nurse shortages years before the COVID pandemic is the latest example of Daniel Andrews’ health system mismanagement.
Maternal and Child Health (MCH) nurses play a critical role in ensuring the continued wellbeing of new mothers, and their babies. Detecting such things as developmental delays in babies and post-natal depression in new mums is critical to avert long-term implications.
Two years before the pandemic in a 2018 report, the Victorian Parliament’s Maternal and Child Health Committee constantly heard of “skills shortages and lack of MCH nurses” across the system.
In the report, Victorian Secretary of Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation Lisa Fitzpatrick warned that the system was “heading for a collision” with increasing birth rates and a reducing workforce placing pressure on the system.
Despite these warnings, Daniel Andrews failed to act. As a consequence, Child and Maternal health services have been cut across several local government areas, particularly in Melbourne’s growing western suburbs.
Shadow Minister for Health, Georgie Crozier said Labor’s mismanagement was causing new mums and their babies to be denied the healthcare and support they deserve.
“New mothers, babies and families continue to pay the price of Labor’s mismanagement of the health system.”
“This isn’t a COVID issue, these services are being cut today because Daniel Andrews failed to act on warnings five years ago.”
“Only a Matthew Guy Liberals and Nationals Government will fix Labor’s health crisis and get families the care they deserve.”
