NSW midwives working across maternity services at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (RPAH) in Camperdown held a snap rally yesterday to draw attention to their grave concerns regarding planned staffing cuts.

A review of the major tertiary hospital’s midwifery staffing profile will see up to 15 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions deleted at the Women and Babies service, while a further five midwives will be cut from the Midwifery Group Practice (MGP), which offers continuity of care to Inner West mothers.

Nine beds within the postnatal ward are also slated for closure as part of the sweeping changes outlined by Sydney Local Health District.

Despite efforts by members of the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) RPAH Branch to escalate their concerns with management almost a year ago, the LHD confirmed the changes would take effect from 1 July.

NSWNMA General Secretary, Shaye Candish, said both experienced midwives working at the hospital, and those within the midwifery-led service, hold serious concerns about the delivery of care to local families.

“In last week’s budget, the NSW government confirmed more than $83 million to boost maternity care across the state, including 53 additional midwives, yet this week we have one of Sydney’s largest hospitals decreasing positions,” said Ms Candish.

“The Local Health District also admitted it has had rolling recruitment advertisements for a number of vacant midwifery positions in both these services, despite these planned job cuts.

“We have been calling on the Ministry of Health for years to conduct a thorough review of the Birthrate Plus staffing model to ensure it is fit for purpose and is delivering the best possible midwifery care to women and their babies.”

NSWNMA RPAH branch members who work in the Women and Babies service and Midwifery Group Practice braved the wet weather yesterday morning in a show of solidarity to raise community awareness about the local staffing cuts.