A severe midwife shortage across New South Wales is forcing hospitals to send new mums and their babies home sooner than they would like.
A report by the Daily Telegraph has revealed that in some hospitals, mums are being sent home 48 hours after giving birth, on the condition they seek regular check-ups with their midwives in the following days.
Nine News reports that at Westmead Hospital, there are currently 47 vacancies for midwives. It’s a similar situation at Blacktown Hospital (23 vacancies) and Royal North Shore (13 vacancies).
The news comes after the ABC reported in January that New South Wales was on the cusp of a ‘nursing crisis’, with South-West Sydney predicted to be the worst hit by nurse and midwife shortages.
However, NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard denied a significant staff shortage, the Daily Telegraph reports.
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