A brand new, purpose-built Maternity Assessment Unit and a new Gynaecology Day Unit are ready to welcome their first patients tomorrow.

The units are part of the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children Expansion Project.

Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said the new Maternity Assessment Unit has doubled its capacity to provide planned and unplanned assessments for women in the second half of their pregnancy, in early labour, or in the first two weeks after giving birth.

This midwifery-led maternity unit will now provide eight bed spaces, and will be closer to the Birthing Unit, “improving service efficiencies for women in need of pregnancy-related assessments,” Ms Stephen-Smith said.

Canberra Health Services has also introduced a new model of care to accompany the new maternity unit, Ms Stephen-Smith said: a 24-hour, seven days a week service and a triaged-based system will ensure pregnant women get the right service at the right time.

The new unit includes upgraded equipment and infrastructure. Eight additional full-time equivalent midwives will support the changing model of care.

Women who need a maternity assessment during pregnancy or after birth can self-refer and call the service (02 5124 7444) to speak to a midwife. Midwives will assess the situation and offer advice, which may include asking them to come to the Maternity Assessment Unit.

The team can do a comprehensive assessment, including medical and obstetric history, any new symptoms or concerns, and will also clinically assess the baby’s wellbeing.

Health professionals can also refer women to the new unit.

The new Gynaecology Day Unit provides a dedicated procedure suite for adolescents and adult women who require gynaecological treatment.

“The new suite is equipped with its own change room and toilet, and provides a more supportive environment for the sensitive, person-centred care each patient needs when they are feeling particularly vulnerable,” Ms Stephen-Smith said.

The suite shares the reception, waiting, and support services with Gynaecological outpatients to improve procedural flows within the service.

“I am pleased that with the completion of these two new services, the $50 million Centenary Hospital for Women and Children Expansion Project is continuing to meet the increasing demand for maternity, gynaecological, paediatric, and neonatal health care services across the Territory and surrounding region,” Ms Stephen-Smith said.

The refurbished paediatric high care ward and new clinical administration building have already been completed. Other works are underway.

For more information on the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children Expansion Project, visit Centenary Hospital for Women and Children expansion project – Canberra Health Services.