Workers members at a Victorian hospital which can shut its maternity providers early subsequent 12 months have stated the choice has come as a "full shock".
Epworth HealthCare introduced plans to shut its Geelong maternity service yesterday because of ongoing workers shortages.
Group Chief Govt Dr Lachlan Henderson stated the personal hospital, which opened the service again in 2017, had entered a session interval with key stakeholders.
"Workforce shortages in nursing and midwifery are being skilled globally, and all through Australia and our repeated, in depth efforts to recruit midwifery workers on the Epworth Geelong Maternity unit has met with restricted success," Dr Henderson stated.
The hospital is positioned in Better Geelong, Victoria's second largest metropolis.
In a letter despatched by the Geelong Maternity Group (GMG), who're primarily based out of the Epworth, stated workers have been solely notified of its choice to shut the unit simply hours earlier than it was made public.
"Regardless of operational points with midwifery and paediatric workers shortages over latest months, we've got been constantly reassured that Epworth would do all the things attainable to maintain its maternity service," they stated.
"Media stories now state that a means of session is ongoing, nonetheless the Epworth midwives and obstetricians have been knowledgeable that the unit will certainly shut.
"It has come as a horrible shock. We're devastated by the information, as are our midwifery colleagues and our apply workers for whom the closure means the lack of their jobs."
GMG stated they've petitioned Epworth executives to see out their dedication to all booked sufferers who're because of give beginning on or after March 1, however they've since declined.
Workers at the moment are working to search out different preparations for purchasers.
Epworth Geelong has paused new maternity bookings, however different providers on the hospital usually are not affected.