Canberra Health Services (CHS) has responded firmly to local media reports which presented as facts unsubstantiated claims by anonymous individuals in submissions to the Legislative Assembly Inquiry into Maternity Services.
In a statement, the Service said the allegations were misleading and unfair and likely to lead to unnecessary concerns in the community about public maternity services in the Territory.
“Further, the unsubstantiated allegations are an unfair attack upon the dedicated and caring staff of CHS,” the Service said.
It said the media headlines did not reflect the unsubstantiated nature of the allegations.
“The committed and hard-working staff of the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children provides safe and high quality care in a modern and well-equipped facility,” it said.
“Feedback CHS receives in relation to patients’ experience of treatment…is overwhelmingly positive.
“CHS encourage all patients, including those who have had a positive experience, to lodge a submission to the inquiry.”
Chief Executive of CHS, Bernadette McDonald said she was “incredibly proud of the great work our maternity staff do each day and very disappointed that they are being subjected to publication of unsubstantiated claims about their professional practice”.
Ms McDonald said CHS was working actively to recruit more midwives and to retain those already working at the Centenary Hospital to address staffing issues that occur at times.
She noted there was currently a national shortage of midwives.
