The NT’s only private maternity ward is about to shut. Here is what we know about the new care options

ABC NEWS (Australia)

The Northern Territory’s health minister has written to his federal counterpart, pleading for upgrades to Darwin’s public maternity ward ahead of the closure of its private ward next month. NT Health is confident it can absorb an extra 250 private patients each year, but obstetricians are warning of unintended effects.

Transcript

00:00Darwin's Airport Hotel, a staple for holidaymakers and travellers.

00:07Its deluxe King Suites now set for a maternal revamp and rebrand

00:12as a luxury retreat for privately insured new mums and bubs.

00:17We're excited to step in and help really.

00:20And we think our hotel and our rooms, these rooms in particular,

00:23are a nice place for mums and bubs to enjoy a really special time in their life.

00:27It's not exactly the private hospital, but it's one of two post-birth options

00:31now available for insured pregnant parents.

00:35And with the imminent closure of Darwin's private maternity ward,

00:38the government's claiming victory.

00:40This is a win for Darwin mothers.

00:43Recruitment for private midwives to provide at-home postnatal support

00:47is now also underway, but approximately 250 privately insured mums

00:52will still need to give birth here at the public hospital each year.

00:56NT Health says it's confident it won't stretch hospital resources

01:00and insurers, not the taxpayer, will foot the bill.

01:03Even so, Health Minister Steve Edgington says he's written to his federal counterpart

01:08asking for support.

01:10In fact, I spoke to him yesterday on the telephone,

01:13firstly to congratulate him on his appointment,

01:15but secondly to discuss a letter that I've sent to him asking for $35 million

01:20to assist us to make some modifications in the maternity ward at the Royal Darwin Hospital.

01:27Obstetricians going one step further, calling for federal intervention

01:31to prevent more private closures.

01:33When private units close, you lose the incentive for highly trained specialists

01:38to move to the regions in particular, and the increased burden on public hospitals

01:43frequently causes them to collapse.

01:45The government says its private packages will be finalised

01:48before the maternity ward closes on June 6.

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