THE importance of a strong midwifery department can’t be understated at Swan Hill District Health, with one specialist describing it as “where the next generation begins”.
That is why SHDH has recently completed renovations to revamp their midwifery department.
Having moved to the acute ward while the renovations were underway, the midwifery team has now returned to their home ward with a fresh new look.
Financial support for the renovations was volunteer-led, with Friends of the Hospital/SHDH Op Shop raising more than $60,000 for the department.
Specialist obstetrician-gynaecologist Nic Ellis applauded the support and described the department as “just a nice, vibrant environment to come to work in”.
“This is where our population comes from,” he said.
“Everyone came from a mother, and everyone should realise the importance of maternity departments across healthcare.
“Something like this does a lot to make you feel like you are wanted here, that people actually care about the work you do.”
Midwifery unit manager, or “MUM”, Leonie Gilbert said the renovation was another step in strengthening the department.
“I’ve seen massive changes here from when I first started about 12 months ago,” she said.
“We are really happy with how things are going in the department.
“I think that the families who come in here are happy to see that we are working to improve our service.
“We’re taking on feedback, and we are always happy to review things as well, so that we are giving the best care possible.”
Ms Gilbert said that the fresh environment now matched the strong maternity team at SHDH.
“We’ve really tried to strengthen the role of our midwives,” she said.
“We have a fabulous team here of extremely dedicated, competent midwives who I think just needed a little push to step up and take on that role.
“Now our midwives have that bit more autonomy, and decision-making ability which is just amazing; They’ve all stepped up and loved it.
“That change really benefits the women here, now they aren’t waiting to hear back about a decision, our midwives can make that decision and be confident in it.”
Ward clerk Elizabeth Veibataki describing the revamp as “like being in a new area altogether”.
“Just being in a nice, fresh space is quite motivating,” she said.
“Since we’ve been back, it’s really uplifting; I think that everyone’s spirits are quite high at the moment.
“It’s great for us to show that we are fixing up some of the things in the midwifery department.”
Clinical midwifery educator Carla Finch echoed that sentiment and said that the changes actively made things easier for the staff.
“I’ve been here for the past two years, and the renovations make the place just look so much fresher,” she said.
“It used to look quite dark, and it had been that way for the 25 years that it was open.
“The walls were quite dark; there were little bits of paint chipping off in certain areas, so this is very fresh and nice to come to work in.
“The women who come in here definitely comment on it, and they’re the people that we are doing this for.
“Although nothing was rearranged, it also just feels a bit more spacious.
“It’s easier to transfer women around the area too now, it’s so much easier to move women and babies in the cots.
“Moving the beds used to be quite the workout.”
The finishing touches are still being rolled out in the department, with colourful new art and updated blinds to be completed.
