Redland private maternity ward shuts down, adding pressure to already strained public hospitals amid 'maternity crisis'

More babies have been born in Queensland over the past decade, but fewer deliveries are happening in private hospitals, so the public health system is under significant strain. (Supplied: Unsplash/lumapimentel)

Another private hospital is poised to shut down maternity services in Queensland, as new data shows a significant shift away from private births.

Mater Private Hospital Redland is expected to close maternity services late next month, citing workforce issues and patient safety concerns.

It follows the end of birthing services at Cairns Private Hospital late last year, at Sunnybank Private in 2022 and the Mater Gladstone in 2018.

The decline in private maternity services is an issue nationwide, with Epworth Hospital in Geelong, Victoria, also closing its maternity ward last year, blaming workforce shortages.

Other hospitals to shut down birthing wards in the past five years include Knox Private in Victoria and North West Private in Tasmania.

The ongoing closures of private maternity services across the country have triggered renewed calls for a Senate inquiry into birthing care in Australia.

Fewer births happening in private hospitals

It comes as Queensland Health data shows fewer women giving birth in private hospitals during the past decade.

In 2021, about 14,000 women gave birth in private facilities in Queensland out of more than 62,000 deliveries.

Ten years earlier, almost 18,000 Queensland women gave birth in private maternity units from about 61,000 deliveries.

In a statement, Mater Health said a nationwide shortage of paediatricians to attend births was impacting the ability of its Redland private hospital in delivering maternity services.

“Mater is consulting with its staff and specialists on a proposal to end private birth services at Mater Private Hospital Redland,” a spokesperson said.

“We acknowledge that this is a disappointing situation for Mater and the community, but the proposal has been driven solely by the need to maintain patient safety.”

Last year, 218 births were recorded at Mater Private Hospital Redland, compared with 408 in 2013.

More pressure on public health services

National Association of Specialist Obstetricians and Gynaecologists’ president Gino Pecoraro said the pending closure of another Australian private maternity service was “devastating news”.

“This will take away choice from the women and provide even more pressure on an already struggling public sector,” Dr Pecoraro said.

He called on the federal government to step in and address Australia’s “maternity crisis”.

“Long term, with the destruction of private maternity care will come a decreasing number of people applying to train in obstetrics,” he said.

Dr Pecoraro called for pregnancy to be included in all private health insurance policies, not just gold level cover.

Government urged to intervene

“Babies also need to be recognised as requiring care, and legislative changes enacted — to either allow or force private health insurance policies — to cover some of the costs of the care for the baby,” Dr Pecoraro said.

He’s calling for a Senate inquiry to examine maternity care in Australia, including an analysis of models of care, looking at outcomes and cost effectiveness – public vs private and midwifery vs doctor-led.

“Recent Queensland data shows that private obstetrician-delivered care is safe and cost-effective,” Dr Pecoraro said.

Queensland Health Minister Shannon Fentiman said she was committed to improving maternity services for all women across the state.

“While Mater is a private facility and this is not a Queensland Health decision, I have made it clear that one of my top priorities is ensuring all women in Queensland have access to high quality, reliable maternity services close to home no matter where they live,” Ms Fentiman said.

“I understand that despite proposing to cease private birthing services at their Redland facility, Mater remains committed to the local community and is looking to utilise the facilities for increased elective surgery or other procedures that mean more private patients in the Redlands will receive care close to home.”

Queensland Nurses and Midwives’ Union secretary Sarah Beaman said the union was concerned about the provision of maternity services in the Redlands.

“This will have a significant impact on the community, as well as on the 22 nurses and midwives who will be impacted by this closure,” Ms Beaman said.