Two operating theatres reopening at Calvary Public Hospital at 7am tomorrow, Friday 6 January, will enable women to birth in the hospital’s Birth Suite or Birth Centre as planned.

However, women booked for an elective C-section will continue to be transferred to Calvary John James Hospital until 9 January.

Birthing by-pass arrangements have been in place since the Calvary operating theatre fire on 6 December 2022.

Ross Hawkins, Calvary ACT Regional Chief Executive Officer, said: “Our priority services are emergency C-section capacity which enables birthing to resume at Calvary, and the capability to perform emergency surgery for patients being admitted through our Emergency Department. We now have that capability.

“We appreciate it has been disruptive for women to be diverted to the Centenary Hospital for birthing, and we are grateful for their understanding. We are thankful for the care and support of the Centenary Hospital midwives to women originally booked to birth at Calvary,” Mr Hawkins said.

“The opening of theatre capacity will enable Calvary to resume a complete woman-centred maternity service, including birthing.

“Our next important task is the progressive resumption of elective surgery at Calvary Public Hospital,” he said.