She will endeavour to gain a deep understanding of the workforce issues that led to midwifery services in the town being temporarily halted from Monday, 26 June.
Once alerted to the situation, the Malinauskas Labor Government acted swiftly in establishing a review to ensure expectant parents can be reassured they can give birth close to home.
Key stakeholders including current and former staff, midwives, clinicians and executives from the Flinders and Upper North Local Health Network may be called upon to provide information during the review.
Ms Fisher is highly regarded within WA’s South Metropolitan Health Service (SMHS).
She won the SMHS Board Award at the 2021 SMHS Excellence Awards for her consistent commitment to improving the experience of maternity, paediatric and neonate patients.
Ms Fisher has also been the Coordinator of Nursing and Midwifery with the Women’s, Children and Newborn Services since 2018.
While birthing services are temporarily suspended, antenatal and post-natal care will continue to be provided at Whyalla Hospital and medical staff will remain available to respond to medical emergencies.
Women in Whyalla who believe they may be in labour, even in the early stages, should attend the hospital as soon as possible.
The local health network is currently working on recruiting qualified staff, while women are temporarily required to birth at other locations.
As put by Chris Picton
I am delighted to announce that Peta Fisher will be leading the review into birthing services at Whyalla.
Peta is an experienced midwifery leader who understands what is required to attract quality staff and just as importantly, to retain them.
She also brings a fresh set of eyes to the situation and will be able to carefully analyse and determine what steps can be put into place to re-open birthing services at Whyalla.
We know how important it is for families in Whyalla to be able to give birth safely close to home, and we’re doing everything possible for this to return.
As put by Eddie Hughes
This external review is a step in the right direction for birthing services to resume in Whyalla.
The temporary suspension was extremely disappointing for the community.
Women in Whyalla and the surrounding region deserve to be able to give birth in a hospital close to home.
That’s why it’s imperative that birthing services resume quickly.
