The North West Hospital and Health Service said the Mount Isa birthing suite pool is ready for use and there will be upcoming community midwifery forums in the region.
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A letter to the editor this week had complained the suite was not in use despite it being two years since the renovations on the Maternity Ward at the Hospital which included the installation of a birthing pool.
However Michelle Garner, Executive Director Nursing and Midwifery and Clinical Services said the pool, which is to be used for water immersion in labour, not to give birth in, has been ready for use by women for water immersion for pain relief in labour since April 2018.
“Staff are trained and our newest recruitment of midwives have completed their learning package and are scheduled to complete mandatory training for the emergency evacuation of a woman from the pool,” Ms Garner said.
“Our midwives are promoting the pool at every opportunity and we look forward to the women of our community benefitting from the use of the pool during labour.”
Our midwives are promoting the pool at every opportunity and we look forward to women benefitting from the use of the pool during labour
- Michelle Garner
Ms Garner said the hospital had several expectant mothers interested in using the pool for pain relief.
“The Director of Obstetrics and Gynaecology is looking forward to the pool being used,” she said.
“We welcome any feedback from the women who do use the pool.”
Ms Garner also used her response to the letter to to invite you community members to their Community Midwifery Forums.
There will be one in Mount Isa on Wednesday July 18 and in Cloncurry Thursday July 19 with details to be confirmed in coming weeks.
These forums will assist us in determining the needs of mothers and families in our communities and will help us create a sustainable midwifery service that is reflective of community needs,” Ms Garner said.