50 years of maternity coming to a close
In January 2024 we announced the closure of our maternity unit. The board made the difficult decision based on several impacting factors. These included the declining private birthing at the hospital, increased insurance costs through to the workforce shortages for nursing and midwifery staff.
The final birth was delivered on Monday 26th February 2024 closing a 50 year chapter for the community. Aston McDonald was born with the assistance of Dr Neil Tamlin, a second child for parents Hannah and James. This birth was even more special in that Hannah’s mother was a midwife for over X years having made a significant contribution to the families and babies born here at North Eastern Community Hospital (NECH).
Janine Robinson, also a midwife with decades of service to NECH, carefully curated a photobook capturing the 50 year history of photos, staff and birthing numbers, a keepsake for both staff, volunteers and the community to remember the unit by.
Emily Judd, Clinical Manager for the maternity unit led her team to close out the final births and supporting not just her staff but the broad professional teams as well. We thank the obstetricians, paediatricians, anaesthetists, nursing and midwifery teams that have dedicated their careers for caring for the babies and their families here at NECH. An open afternoon tea was provided for staff both new and old, families and the community on the final day being 1 March 2024. The Hon Vincent Tarzia, the local member of Parliament attended to give thanks to those staff in the maternity unit and support for the future vision of NECH that looks at delivering a sustainable health service for the future.
The executive and the board are now looking ahead to the next phase for NECH that aligns to the projected health and medical needs of the community.