Maternity services in Tasmania’s North West have transitioned to the public system, delivering on the Rockliff Liberal Government’s promise to bring services across almost one year earlier than planned.
Earlier this year, Premier Jeremy Rockliff announced the Government would bring forward the transition of public maternity services from the North West Private Hospital (NWPH) to the Tasmanian Health Service from the planned date of November 2024.
This change means that all elements of the maternity service – including inpatient, birthing, clinics, and community midwifery services – are now delivered through the public system.
Minister Barnett said the Government was doing what matters for Tasmanians by bringing forward the transition date, with the new publicly delivered maternity service set to provide high-quality care to mothers and babies in the region.
“We have listened to the North West community’s concerns and that’s why we brought the transition of maternity services to the public system forward from the initial date of November 2024,” Minister Barnett said.
“The new Tasmanian Health Service-delivered maternity service has been designed in collaboration with clinicians and consumers, and is now well positioned to deliver safe and high-quality care for mothers and babies across the Coast.
“As a fully integrated service bringing all elements of maternity care together in the region, it will also deliver more connected statewide services, strengthen support for the workforce, and provide greater choice for mothers.”
The effective transfer of health professionals from the NWPH to the Tasmanian State Service was vital to the continuity of services and has been achieved with legislation passed to ensure employees maintain their entitlements and are not disadvantaged by the move.
“I would like to whole-heartedly welcome all health workers who have transferred from the North West Private Hospital to the Tasmanian State Service and thank them for continuing to deliver these services.
“Their skills and experience will be essential in ensuring continuity of services for patients and the delivery of high-quality maternity care into the future.
“I would also like to thank the North West Private Hospital and its owners Healthecare for working with us to facilitate this early transition and we look forward to continuing our strong operational relationship.”
The transition delivers on key recommendations from the Independent Review of Quality, Safety and Management in the North West Maternity Services published in October 2021, which recommended all public maternity services be transitioned under the THS to improve services for the North West.
