Darwin Private Maternity Services Predicted to Close

Announcement by Healthscope 20th February 2025

Disappointing news for Darwin women, who are now unable to chose private obstetric care within the NT, as a birthing choice.

It's not good enough, the only private provider in the NT to just pull the pin at short notice, and yes give only 8 weeks, till closure.

Healthscope Executive at Darwin Private Hospital (DPH) have dealt with this whole process with no attention to detail, of how they were going to make aware this news to their women, their staff and to the media.

It has been an utter mess.

Women finding out via the media, that they now cannot labour and birth at DPH. They need to change their birth plan, and find another avenue.

DPH midwives also finding out via the media, or the public, "saying have you heard, you don't have a job anymore?"

Healthscope a private business owned by a company in North America, who are worth Trillions of dollars are cutting the funding of the only fully functioning Maternity Unit in Darwin, in fact in the NT!

It is all about money. Disgusting they have put their bank accounts before pregnant women.

The DPH Executive stated that 300 births are not viable, to sustain the Maternity Services. Staffing component at DPH Maternity is good, hardly ever relying on agency staff. These midwives are shocked & disgusted to say the least.

The same is happening in Hobart, the Healthscope Hobart Private is also closing in 6 months time. They have 5-600 births per year. So therefore this is a viable unit.

However, the maternity unit is struggling to maintain or attract staff? They are going to struggle to maintain a roster for another 6 months whilst they complete the care for all their women who have booked into this facility, BUT on the another hand, close Darwin Private where they have a good stable workforce, can maintain a roster, and to close in 8 weeks time and not complete the care for all the women who have already booked into DPH?

• This is outrageous and does not make any sense
• There has been no consultation with their maternity staff
• This 8 week timeline needs to be pushed forward to August Healthscope - DPH Executive did state to ANMFNT on 20/2, they are considering this, let's wait and see.

Talking to RDH Executive today (21/2), they are willing (with open arms) to accept all of the women that would normally birth at DPH.

The RDH maternity division are already overstressed with high vacancy rates of midwives and obstetricians.

These professions, continuously are going above & beyond to give all women, babies and families the best evidenced based care they can.

This means staff working long hours, double shifts, extra shifts on their days off, to maintain this high standard of care.

Minister for Health Mr. Steve Edgington released the CLP's plans today (21/2) for the women from DPH onboarding into RDH public care.

• no extra funding to RDH Maternity Services - not good enough Health Minister
• NT Health to work with the private insurance providers to develop alternative private maternity models and experiences

1. a luxury postnatal maternity retreat in a Darwin boutique hotel with their family. 24/7 maternity support
2. returning home sooner package, with extra support with cleaning, meal preparation and wellness programs and a new mum & bub pack.

Which means, the women's own private provider will be paying for it. Not NT Health. Good one Minister Edgington.

Authorised by

C. Hatcher

ANMF NT

Branch Secretary