Victor Harbor hospital blames suspension of birthing services on anaesthetist shortage

Birthing services at Victor Harbor’s public hospital are currently suspended due to the lack of an anaesthetist, and there are concerns that emergency patients could be affected over the busy Christmas holiday period.

Local mothers were notified on Friday that services would not be available from midnight Sunday until December 18, and again from December 25 to January 3.

They were instead directed to contact Mount Barker District Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital, which is about an hour’s drive Victor Harbor.

Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network (BHFLHN) interim chief executive  Bronwyn Masters said the diversion was due to a “short-term unexpected gap in the roster of an anaesthetist”.

She said the BFLHN was working with metropolitan hospitals to find a replacement, with families given the option to choose their most preferred birthing hospital.

Ms Masters added that all families had been contacted with plans in place for high-level care.

Ten local women are expected to give birth over this period.

Local MP David Basham said it was disappointing that the expectant mothers were only given a few days notice of the suspension of the local service and that it would have been very stressful for those close to their due dates.

Mr Basham said he understood that emergency surgery work would also be impacted by the lack of an anaesthetist.

“It won’t be able to happen unless they can maybe helicopter an anaesthetist in using Medstar,” he said.

He pointed out that the time of year was a particularly busy time for the hospital as holiday-makers flocked to Victor Harbor and the surrounding areas.

Mr Basham said he had been told by local doctors who provided anaesthetic services to the hospital they had not been approached to increase their availability over the Christmas and New Year period but they would have been willing to do so.

SA Health has been contacted for comment.