Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation’s NT secretary Cath Hatcher responds to news that maternity and birthing services are ceasing at Darwin Private Hospital, which will mean Royal Darwin Hospital is the only option for women.

Healthscope will stop providing maternity services from April 17 which comes after a review of its services at Darwin Private, with maternity services stopped at 12 other private hospitals in the last eight years.

Ms Hatcher told Katie Woolf it’ll impact 15 full time equivalent nurses, 10 casual staff, two obstetricians and one pediatrician, with some first learning of the closure through the media.

She says birthing rates have declined since 2013 from 700 births to just under 300 in 2024 and she understands the decision was a financial one.

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