Parents struggling without birthing services at key hospital
2 時間前
Tarlia Hill and Michael Wilkins say the suspension of birthing services is causing unnecessary trauma. ( ABC Pilbara: Rachel Hagan )
It has been nearly five years since birthing services were suspended in the Gascoyne town of Carnarvon.
Parents forced to travel hundreds of kilometres and spend thousands of dollars to give birth and access support services say it is affecting their mental health.
The WA Country Health Service has not said when birthing services will return to Carnarvon.
New parents say their mental and physical health are at risk after almost five years without birthing services at a key country hospital.
Birthing services were suspended at Carnarvon Hospital, about 900 kilometres north of Perth, in February 2022 due to a shortage of midwives and obstetricians.
As a result, Gascoyne parents have been forced to take extra leave from work, some travelling more than 1,000km to give birth.
Carnarvon residents Tarlia Hill and Michael Wilkins are preparing to make that same journey to have their first child in Geraldton.
本文の著作権はABC Australiaにあります。