Final decision on Epworth maternity looms

EFFORTS to stop the proposed closure of the maternity unit at Epworth Geelong are heating up but running out of time, with a decision to be made reportedly within days and a Liberal politician making a request to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to investigate Epworth HealthCare’s conduct.

Epworth HealthCare announced its intentions in November to close the maternity unit at its hospital in Waurn Ponds, forecasting a proposed March 1 closure following consultation.

The Save Epworth Maternity Group, which has led community opposition to the closure and held a public rally on January 17, claimed last week that a final decision on the closure was due on Monday, January 30.

Save Epworth Maternity Group also called for a meeting to request “urgent assistance” from the region’s local Labor politicians – South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman, Bellarine MP Alison Marchant, Corangamite federal member Libby Coker and Corio federal member Richard Marles.

Mr Cheeseman said Epworth Geelong was a private entity so the maternity ward’s closure was “a decision of the Epworth board”.

“I have written to the Epworth to raise concerns on behalf of the community with respect to their disappointing consultation process, and I encourage them to engage in meaningful dialogue with key stakeholders and the community.”

Ms Coker said she had been assured by Barwon Health and St John of God Hospital that they had ample capacity to manage and support the number of births handled at the Epworth.

She said Barwon Health and St John of God would also be able to expand service delivery and supports to expectant families into the future if required to do.

The Save Epworth Maternity Group disagrees, with spokepserson Dr Elise Davey saying the public system could not handle an extra 600 births a year “without it taking a significant toll”.

“The argument that this is a private enterprise issue is not only short-sighted but potentially putting our birthing community at risk,” fellow spokesperson Sarah Ottens added.

On Monday this week, Victorian Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson publicly released her letter to ACCC chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb, in which she called for an “urgent investigation” into “what appears to be misleading or deceptive conduct in breach of Australian Consumer Law” regarding the proposed closure.

Senator Henderson also believed Epworth HealthCare had misrepresented itself about the future of the maternity unit to Epworth Geelong’s two obstetric practices, and this “may also constitute unconscionable conduct”.

Epworth HealthCare did not respond to questions about if the deadline on the decision was Monday, January 30, or whether the state and/or federal governments could do anything that would guarantee the Epworth Geelong maternity unit would stay open.

“Epworth continues to invest in the services we deliver at Epworth Geelong and these services have significantly expanded in recent times including the opening of an additional operating theatre, expansion of our ICU, cancer, cardiac and neurosurgery services,” Epworth HealthCare acting group chief executive officer Luis Prado said.

“We are aware of the correspondence to the ACCC. Epworth treats such matters seriously and we will respond as appropriate.”