The new Shellharbour Hospital’s need for improved access to maternity care has been backed by Labor’s Whitlam candidate Carol Berry.
The former CEO of the Illawarra Women’s Health Centre (Illawarra WHC), Ms Berry, was selected to represent Labor as its candidate for Whitlam in the 2025 Federal Election, after MP Stephen Jones said he would retire at the end of this term.
Announcing funding for a Medicare urgent care clinic in Shellharbour on Monday, March 3, Ms Berry was asked by the Illawarra Mercury about the new $780 million Shellharbour Hospital, currently being built without birthing suites.
The Illawarra WHC is advocating for a midwife-led maternity unit at the hospital.
“I’ve worked in women’s health, so I understand the agenda of the community in relation to maternity care services,” Ms Berry said.
“So I look forward to working with both the federal and state governments to ensure that we’ve got women’s health right at the top of the agenda.
“If I’m elected, Anna and I will be working together to ensure that we get those services delivered.”
Anna, is Shellharbour MP, Anna Watson who has already backed the campaign for a full suite of maternity services.
“As this is a growing area with lots of young families, I am very supportive of the new Shellharbour Hospital having a full suite of maternity services. I will continue to work with the Minister to ensure this will happen in the future,” she told the Illawarra WHC last month.
Sally Stevenson, Executive Director of Illawarra WHC, said: “It is promising to see our local politicians rally around women in Shellharbour, but we need to see action from the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, which continues to say these services are not required in the region, despite a fast-growing population.
“We know midwives want to work in the Shellharbour area, the evidence shows better outcomes for mum and baby when they have access to midwife-led maternity services close to home. Creating a midwife-led birthing unit at the new Shellharbour Hospital is an obvious solution for all.”
