Re: [ozmidwifery] No Births at Ryde Birth Centre

[Janet Fraser]

DATE Wednesday 8 November 2006                                    Announcing temporary changes to Maternity Services at Ryde Hospital   Ry              The Ryde Midwifery Group Practice based at Ryde Hospital                   has successfully offered a ‘low tech, low intervention’ approach to pregnancy, labour and delivery to suitable women.   Unfortunately it has not proven possible to recruit to Ryde Hospital a Career Medical Officer (CMO) with the appropriate skills to assist midwives with the resuscitation of a newborn baby if required.   Therefore, effective immediately, all women booked to birth at Ryde will birth instead at Royal North Shore Hospital, in the care of their attending midwife.  This is a temporary measure and will be reversed once a suitably skilled CMO is appointed.   Please note: ·        The Ryde Midwifery Group Practice is NOT closing ·        NSCCH is actively recruiting a career medical officer with       suitable skills ·        Ryde midwives will go to RNSH with Ryde mothers ·        Mothers will experience exactly the same ‘low intervention’ style of birthing they would have received at Ryde ·        All ‘booked in’ mothers have been informed of this temporary arrangement ·          “Although obstetric emergencies are rare at Ryde, it’s our responsibility to be prepared,” explained Dr Michael Nicholl, Clinical Director of Women’s, Children’s and Family Health, North Shore & Ryde Health Service.   “I regret that this short-term arrangement is necessary but labour and delivery can be unpredictable even in low risk situations. It’s important to have medical expertise available if required.                      “The safety of mothers and babies is our priority.”                           INFORMATION FOR FAMILIES:  Telephone:                                          Media contact:           Pat McDermott NSCCH Corporate Communications                                                             9926 6733 / 0413 025 741