Birthing services at Calvary Public Hospital Bruce will remain on bypass to Canberra Hospital until operating theatres are back online, following last week’s fire at the Belconnen-based hospital.

• Calvary Hospital fire sparks partial evacuation (6 December)

Calvary Public Hospital Bruce and Canberra Health Services are jointly making interim arrangements to ensure timely care for women who planned to give birth at Calvary Public Hospital before Christmas.

Ross Hawkins, Calvary ACT’s Regional CEO, said a preliminary assessment of the damage indicates it may be possible to have four theatres back online within a couple of weeks.

“Should this happen, we will have our maternity services back to normal,” Mr Hawkins said. “However, for the time being, birthing services are being directed to the Canberra Hospital.”

Janet Zagari, Deputy CEO of Canberra Health Services, said the focus right now is to ensure patients are supported and receiving the care they need, “as soon as we can arrange this, under these extraordinary circumstances”.

“Our staff at both campuses have been working tirelessly to support patients and their carers or loved ones as we work through the logistics of this situation,” Ms Zagari said.

“We wish to reassure women who are close to giving birth who may be affected by this detour of birthing services that all the right clinical care and arrangements are in place.”

Women booked to give birth in the Calvary Birth Suite or Calvary Birth Centre who have any concerns about their pregnancy or who feel their labour has started are asked to call the Calvary Birth Suite any time of the day on 6201 6034.  A Calvary midwife will discuss each woman’s situation and formulate the best arrangements for them and their family. 

Management of maternity patients

If a patient arrives at Calvary Public Hospital Bruce in labour, and there is not enough time for the patient to get to another health service safely, the patient will give birth at Calvary. Every measure will be put in place to ensure a safe delivery when the timing is critical.

Maternity patients with appointments at Calvary for foetal surveillance monitoring or for a clinical review and who are not in labour, can continue with their appointments at Calvary.

The Maternity Assessment Area and Antenatal service are also continuing at Calvary.

All patients with elective C-sections will be scheduled at Calvary John James.

Patient flow and bed management across the system

To maintain bed capacity and continue timely care, midwifery and obstetric teams from both hospitals are meeting regularly to manage the logistics and patient care co-ordination.

Some patients may be transferred from Canberra Hospital back to Calvary after they give birth, based on a clinical assessment:

•           after six hours for patients who have an uncomplicated birth; and

•           after 12 hours for patients who have an uncomplicated C-section.

“Our patients can be assured that all steps are in place to provide safe and timely care during this untimely interruption, particularly leading up to Christmas,” a hospital spokesperson said.

Patients can contact the Calvary Public Hospital Birth Suite on 6201 6034 to discuss their health service matter.