Disappointing Response from Department to RHH Maternity Concerns
August 2024
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) Tasmanian Branch is dismayed by the Department’s response to staffing concerns at the Royal Hobart Hospital.
Our midwifery members work on this unit 24/7 and have first have experience of staffing issues and the challenges that this presents.
Our members are unequivocal that there are staffing issues and safety concerns that are putting women and babies at risk.
The fact that the Department has not managed to accurately ascertain the concerns and clear evidence of safety risks is a further indictment on a broken and disconnected health system.
Further, it is disappointing sensitive information contained within personal communication between the ANMF and Tasmanian Health Service has been revealed in the media today, despite our best efforts to ensure that this did not occur, further highlighting the lack of understanding of this delicate situation.
The ANMF will continue to support our Midwifery members to ensure that they get the support and resources they need to practice safely and keep the women babies in their care safe also.
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Media contact:
Emily Shepherd, ANMF Tasmanian Branch Secretary
Mobile: 0400 884 021
Email: Emily.Shepherd@anmftas.org.au