Lismore Maternity Ward May Remain Close; Caring Mothers Might Squeeze Themselves Together To Fit Into A Smaller Unit

Officials might not be able to restore Lismore Base Hospital, the maternity ward which was severely damaged in November during a wild storm on the New South Wales north coast, according to NSW Infrastructure Health. Hence, they are still communicating with the insurance assessors to determine the best solution to provide a good facility for the mothers and infants.

As for now, while the maternity ward remained close, caring mothers and newborn babies may stay at the Women's Care Unit. However, it is also sad to know that the unit, which is located in the Southern Wing, can only accommodate fewer people as it only has 16 beds with no spare beds at all.

Hence, the spokesperson from NSW Health District said they might start on encouraging pregnant women who will deliver their babies through normal delivery to go back to their home after 4 hours of delivery. As for the post-natal-mothers, they will be monitored by the community nurses at home. In addition, other future measures might involve relocating mothers and infants to other wards or hospitals.

The spokesperson further added that if the assessor concludes that the Lismore Base Hospital -- which was terribly damage after a scaffolding fell onto the ceiling -- is irreparable, it will leave Women's Care Unit no choice, but to continue on accommodating mothers and children until the new maternity ward is ready to accommodate patients.

"The hospital is currently on its Stage 3 redevelopment as the Health Infrastructure does not want to pre-empt any outcome before the regulators have finalised their investigations," the representative disclosed to Northern Star.

More so, the 'stage 3 redevelopment' includes new emergency unit, a new ambulance bay and a new emergency unit. Lismore MP Thomas George said he already inspected the vicinity, "Stage 3 works will be progressively delivered over the next few months, up until mid-2016," he affirmed.