REVIEW CONFIRMS PUBLIC MATERNITY SERVICES DELIVERING QUALITY CARE TO WOMEN

ACT Minister for Health, Katy Gallagher, has welcomed the report of the review of public maternity services in the ACT.

"Earlier this year, I commissioned an independent clinical review into maternity services across the ACT to review obstetric service delivery and clinical outcomes after concerns were raised publicly about the quality of care being provided at TCH."

"A clinical review was essential at that time, to ensure that community confidence in the TCH maternity unit was maintained," she said.

"The report identifies that the clinical outcomes for mothers and babies at both public maternity units are consistent with comparable hospitals in Australia and New Zealand. This report demonstrates to the community that public maternity services in the ACT provide high quality maternity services for residents of the ACT and surrounding region," Ms Gallagher said.

"The review included both public maternity services and was not solely related to The Canberra Hospital maternity unit. Private maternity units in the ACT were also invited to participate in this review and their statements and data were collected and used as part of the overall analysis of the maternity service provided in the ACT," she said.

"The review highlighted that there is strong support amongst stakeholders for a Territory wide maternity service. ACT Health will now consult on the recommendations and in the meantime will commence negotiations with Calvary Hospital in relation to a Territory wide service," the Minister said.

The review has highlighted a number of areas where improvement can be made to public maternity services. These include:

Reporting to the community
Improving consumer representation
Standardising risk management processes
Improving clinical governance structures
Increasing staff numbers
Clarifying roles and responsibilities.
"I welcome the reviewers' report which suggests ways to enhance the maternity services provided at both public maternity units in ACT," the Minister said.

Whilst ACT Health has agreed with 25 of the 31 recommendations made, 6 of the recommendations require further consideration and consultation. The report will be released along with ACT Health's initial response to allow for a period of six weeks feedback and consultation with staff.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Review Committee for its consideration into maternity services in the ACT and acknowledge the stakeholders and community members who provided input into this review process," Ms Gallagher said.

Four independent reviewers were engaged to conduct the clinical review, including representatives from the Australian College of Midwives, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG), and a representative from the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators.

The final report along with the ACT Health Response can be obtained at the following link: http://health.act.gov.au/reviewpublicmaternityinACT

Media Contact:

Warren Tegg 6205 0384 0435 961 012 warren.tegg@act.gov.au