A new dedicated Early Pregnancy Unit is to be built at the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children in Garran, to provide women with complications relating to their early pregnancy better access to care.
The Minister for Health, Rachel Stephen-Smith said the Early Pregnancy Unit was being added under a change of scope to the $50 million Expansion Project already underway at the Centenary Hospital.
Ms Stephen-Smith said the change was in response to recommendations of the recently issued Report of the Inquiry into Maternity Services in the ACT.
“The Report made a number of recommendations relating to perinatal loss, including the need for health services to provide appropriate accommodation to women and their families who experience early pregnancy loss,” Ms Stephen-Smith said
“This new Unit will provide women and families with the support and care required during an incredibly difficult and emotional time,” she said.
“Many women and their families shared their experiences to help us build a better, person and baby centred maternity care system. This new Unit is a direct result of what we heard through the Inquiry and I sincerely thank every person involved for their invaluable contributions.”
Ms Stephen-Smith said the Unit would support all complications relating to early pregnancy, including early pregnancy loss.
“Adjacent to the antenatal ward, the Unit will be purpose-built to offer a therapeutic and healing environment and will be staffed by a skilled, multidisciplinary team,” she said.
“The Unit will provide better purpose-built spaces to provide a more holistic care for women and their families,” Ms Stephen-Smith said.
