Staff at Dandenong Hospital are expressing serious concerns over proposed cuts that could significantly impact maternity services. According to hospital employees, there is a fear that these changes may lead to the eventual closure of maternity services altogether. The proposed relocation of high-risk pregnancies and specialist neonatal nurses to Casey Hospital and Monash Medical Centre has been met with skepticism by those on the front lines of patient care.
An anonymous staff member criticized Monash Health’s assertion that these changes would “enhance patient outcomes.” They stated, “I’m not sure how patient care will be improved when those highly skilled nurses, trained in the area, are redeployed and replaced by staff who are not as experienced in that clinical field.” This sentiment reflects a broader anxiety among the staff regarding the future of maternity care at Dandenong Hospital.
Concerns Over Maternity Service Downgrade
The proposed downgrade of Dandenong Hospital’s maternity capability from a level three to a level two facility means the hospital would no longer care for complex pregnancies and newborns. This decision has raised alarms among staff, who emphasize the critical role of neonatal specialist nurses. These professionals provide essential medical care to newborns, especially those born prematurely or with health complications. They are trained to perform resuscitation, monitor vital signs, and offer emotional support to families.
Staff members worry that the redeployment of these specialists will place an additional burden on midwives, who may face increased responsibilities in managing the nursery. “It’s very stressful,” one staff member remarked, highlighting the potential risks involved. “The staff are concerned and distressed with the notion of this proposal.”
The impact of these changes extends beyond the hospital walls. Vulnerable mothers and newborns, many of whom rely on public transport for prenatal appointments and birthing services, could find themselves in challenging situations if neonatal care is no longer available at Dandenong Hospital. “The community is vulnerable in that sense,” another staff member noted. “If neonatal care is required at another hospital, families would have to travel significant distances.”
Monash Health Responds to Criticism
In response to the growing concerns, a spokesperson for Monash Health stated that maternity and newborn services at Dandenong Hospital are “under-utilised.” The organization maintains that relocating these services to Casey Hospital is designed to meet increasing demand for care and will ultimately provide families with better access to appropriate medical services.
“This will allow more families to access the right care, closer to home, while Dandenong Hospital will continue to provide excellent maternity and newborn services for the local community,” the spokesperson said. They further asserted that the reconfiguration would enhance midwife-led bedside care, supported by medical teams.
Despite these assurances, many staff members remain skeptical. Some midwives, preferring to work in a more supportive environment, have begun seeking opportunities elsewhere. According to hospital staff, the prevailing sentiment is that Monash Health is gradually aiming to reduce maternity services at Dandenong, potentially leading to a complete closure.
This situation echoes a previous initiative in 2022, when maternity, special care nursery, and paediatric services were relocated to Casey Hospital and Monash Children’s Hospital. The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation has been monitoring these changes closely, urging the community to remain aware of the ongoing developments.
As discussions continue, staff emphasize the need for community support to safeguard the future of maternity services at Dandenong Hospital. “This proposal has continued the longest out of the three attempts,” one staff member stated. “The other two were shut down reasonably quickly, but this has been going on since May. So I honestly can’t be sure if it’ll be successful; I hope community support will prevent that from happening.”
The fate of Dandenong Hospital’s maternity services hangs in the balance as staff, patients, and community members await further developments. The outcome will not only affect those who rely on these crucial services but will also shape the overall healthcare landscape in the region for years to come.
