The ACT Government is exploring the feasibility of a Birth Centre as part of the new northside hospital in Bruce.

The feasibility study will be completed by the end of the year. It will review a range of models for the Birth Centre – freestanding, standalone, or alongside midwife-led – and is the first step in determining its location.

“We have heard that Canberrans want more birthing options in the ACT and more services in Canberra’s north,” health minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said. “This study will give the Government a better understanding of what birthing models are most appropriate and what could be delivered as part of a new Birth Centre in Canberra’s north.”

The ACT Greens advocate for a separate freestanding birth centre, separate to the hospital campus, Jo Clay MLA said; it was what the community wanted.

Last year, Ms Clay tabled a petition with more than 3,000 signatures calling for a freestanding birth centre in the ACT, and passed a private members motion committing the ACT Government to complete a feasibility study for a co-designed midwife-led facility by this August. The Greens made their 2020 election commitment to a standalone family birth centre a priority in the Parliamentary and Governing Agreement.

“The community has been clear,” Ms Clay said. “We need an option in Canberra that prioritises keeping people out of hospital, reduces unnecessary medical interventions and better supports our midwives.

“Being able to access a hospital-based birth is sometimes necessary, but we need to enable healthy people who want to give birth elsewhere to do so safely and with support by a known midwife.

“We already have birth centres that are in hospitals. The freestanding option is what’s needed in Canberra to provide more choice for people giving birth.

“I’m confident the impassioned preference of midwives, parents and other experts for a freestanding birth centre will shine through in this feasibility study and deliver what will be a much-loved service for the Canberra community.”

The ACT Government has begun consulting clinicians, carers, families, peak bodies, and consumer representatives.

Over the coming year, the ACT Government will engage with the wider community and workforce as it builds the new hospital, which will have more beds, a bigger emergency department, and more services, Ms Stephen-Smith said.

This term, the minister said, the ACT Government has expanded the home birth program, progressed the Maternity in Focus First Action Plan, and implementing phase two of nurse- and midwife-to-patient ratios.