CHA welcomes federal funding for Hobart maternity services

Catholic Health Australia (CHA) welcomes the Albanese Government’s commitment to ensuring that expectant mothers in Hobart and the surrounding region continue to have access to essential maternity services.

The Federal Government’s $6 million investment in infrastructure and equipment upgrades at the Tasmanian Health Service and Calvary Lenah Valley is a much-needed response to the expected increase in demand following Healthscope’s decision to cease private hospital maternity services in Hobart from August.

“This funding will help expand capacity and facilities so that more mothers and their babies can receive high-quality care at this critical time in their lives,” said CHA Director of Health Policy, Dr Katharine Bassett.

“We are pleased to have been able to work constructively with the federal government and Calvary to reach this solution for Tasmanian families. It is also good to see the federal and Tasmanian governments working together to support access to vital maternity services.”

Dr Bassett said Healthscope’s closure of private maternity services has left not-for-profit hospitals and public services to fill the gap.

“It is troubling to see another for-profit healthcare provider cherry-picking the work that suits its bottom line and abandoning communities that rely on these vital services,” she said.

“While this funding is a positive step, we must also look at long-term structural solutions to ensure private maternity services remain viable.”

Catholic Health Australia has consistently advocated for reforms such as a National Private Price which would ensure hospitals are appropriately funded to deliver these vital services.