The Centenary Hospital for Women and Children at Woden is at capacity. Photo: Jeffrey Chan
Pregnant women in Canberra may lose their right to choose the hospital they give birth in, as the women and children’s hospital in Woden reaches capacity.
Northsiders would be forced to give birth at Calvary Hospital in Bruce and southsiders at the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children at Woden, if a plan being considered by ACT Health is adopted.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr admitted the proposal would limit Canberra mothers’ choices, but told the ABC ACT Health was looking for the “least worst” option to address the increasing demand for the newer facilities at Canberra Hospital, opened in August 2012.
“There are only so many spaces available within that facility, so the issue has to be looked at,” he said.
“The facilities at Calvary are high quality and they are closer for people on the northside.”
But he stressed ACT Health would “engage broadly” over an extended period with the community before a decision was made and expected ACT families to have “very strong views”.
“The issue needs to be resolved one way or another, health has got to have that conversation,” he said.
“They are right to raise the issue because it’s a challenge they need to confront.”
The southside facility is the city’s only tertiary hospital.
ACT Health confirmed it was reviewing its referral guidelines for patients accessing maternity services, in a statement to the ABC, and would conduct consultation if and when required.