By JONATHON HOWARD
THIS Mother’s Day will be an extra special one for a group of Stanthorpe mums who worked tirelessly to improve the Stanthorpe Hospital maternity ward. The group of five mothers joined forces in July 2012, and called themselves MUMSS – Mothers United for Maternity Services Stanthorpe – an apt title which embodied their goal.
The group included mothers Anita Campbell, Sarah Reeves, Michelle Conkas, Rebecca Telfer and Melinda Toms.
MUMSS spokeswoman Sarah Reeves said the group started by collecting stories from Stanthorpe mothers, and surveyed their birthing experiences while they were admitted to Stanthorpe Hospital.
It was thanks to the group’s determination which last week prompted the Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service Board to announced $1.1 million to revamp Stanthorpe Hospital’s maternity ward, and move it into the 21st century.
Stanthorpe’s maternity ward was built in 1956 and only received minor refurbishments in the 1980s.
The funding will allow for larger birthing suites, including ensuites at both birthing units, and a birthing pool that provides additional privacy and comfort for mothers to be.
The $1.1 million was part of a total $3 million total funding announcement, with the majority, $1.9 million, towards addressing a growing list of elective surgeries at Toowoomba, Southern Downs, Western Downs, South Burnett and South West Queensland.
The focus will be on reducing the waiting list for Category 2 (semi-urgent) and Category 3 (non-urgent) patients, meaning patients in the Southern Downs will undergo surgery sooner.
DDHHS board chairman, Mike Horan, said it was the hard work by MUMMS members that prompted the health board to act.
“It was especially thanks to the efforts of the Mothers United for Maternity Services Stanthorpe, that prompted the health board to announce this funding for Stanthorpe Hospital’s maternity ward – and for that the group should be congratulated,” he said.
Mrs Reeves said the group was overjoyed with the announcement which they described as a win for the community.
“We are delighted with the announcement from the health board to deliver these much needed facilities,” she said.
“It’s not that the current maternity facilities were bad at Stanthorpe Hospital, they were just in need of an upgrade to allow for greater comfort, privacy and support.”
Stanthorpe Hospital staff, including midwives, also played a crucial role after they worked collaboratively with the MUMSS group to develop options for improving the maternity service.
“A huge thankyou to all those who have been involved and shown support, including Member for Southern Downs and Minister for Health, Lawrence Springborg, DDHHS Chair Mike Horan, Director of Nursing Lesley Shannon, all the staff of Stanthorpe Hospital, and of course all the women who provided their birthing stories that helped build the case for refurbishment.”
Member for Southern Downs, Lawrence Springborg, has applauded the work of MUMSS and hospital staff for taking the initiative to improve services and showing a real commitment to the community.
“The refurbishment will make better use of the space and also modernise facilities for birthing mothers,” he said.
In further news, Mr Springborg revealed that medical contracts are no longer at risk of being terminated, after fears of further cutbacks including the loss of doctors loomed.
“I am happy to report that no medical contracts are at risk of being terminated at Southern Downs,” he said.
