The ACT Government is building the health infrastructure our growing city needs, with a $5.5 million investment in maternity services that has refurbished two dedicated obstetric operating theatre suites and a Post Anaesthetic Care Unit at Canberra Hospital.
This is another piece of the ACT Government's largest investment into health infrastructure in Territory history and supports additional theatre capacity at the Canberra Hospital.
Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said the dedicated operating theatres would improve Canberra Hospital's capacity for scheduled caesarean procedures and when complications emerge during births.
"Having dedicated obstetric theatres close to Centenary Hospital for Women and Children supports efficient and timely emergency obstetric care," Minister Stephen-Smith said.
"It allows for rapid access to theatres for emergency interventions, including caesarean sections, and ensures quick transport of mothers and babies in need, minimising potential complications."
The dedicated theatre suites boast a range of features, including:
- a new eight bay recovery area,
- holding area,
- smart LED operating lights,
- medication rooms and storage areas, and
- scrub bay.
The theatre suites will come online at the end of May following a short commissioning process.
This follows the new operating theatres that opened in Building 5 in August last year, expanding Canberra Health Services' surgical capability.
Nurse and midwife to patient ratios will be introduced into operating theatres and maternity at Canberra Hospital and North Canberra Hospital later this year.
"Nurse and midwife to patient ratios will ensure minimum staffing ratios in theatres and maternity and will support safe nursing and midwifery care and improved outcomes for patients," Minister Stephen-Smith said.
"The ACT Government is proud to continue supporting high quality, free healthcare across the Territory."
