Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network (BHFLHN) will resume birthing services at Kapunda Hospital following the development of a new model of care.
The birthing service at Kapunda Hospital has been on pause since April due to a lack of staff required to maintain a safe and sustainable service. Since then, BHFLHN has worked with staff, patients and other key stakeholders to recommence services, safely.
The new model will initially see Category Four elective caesareans at Kapunda Hospital, with other births to occur at Gawler Health Service or an alternative location where there are the staff and facilities if any problems occur during birth. The next booked caesarean is in November.
The reintroduction of select birthing services is the first significant step in the introduction of a Northern Birthing Model of Care and follows an agreement reached to further support birthing services at Kapunda and Gawler.
Key stakeholders reached an in-principle agreement to develop a new model of care that will serve the community safely while preventing regular diversions that have previously occurred.
The final Northern Birthing Model of Care is expected to be completed by the end of the year to ensure a consistent, ongoing care model for the region.
BHFLHN is continuing to strengthen the sustainability of the Gawler Hospital workforce and is also actively recruiting an Obstetrics Head of Unit to be based at Gawler Health Service. Women due to give birth have been made aware of the options available to them.
Quotesattributable to Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network Acting ChiefExecutive Officer, Kylie Williams
Restoring birthing services at Kapunda Hospital has been a key goal of ours and it's good to see the progress that is being made.
We are pleased to be working towards caesarean sections returning to Kapunda later this year and I want to thank our staff and key stakeholders for the work they have done to resume services.
The Northern Birthing Model of Care continues to take shape and BHFLHN has developed a short, medium and long-term action plan to improve birthing services in the region.
BHFLHN is committed to provide a birthing service that meets the needs of the community, and we are working towards that goal in a positive manner.
