NEW MATER MOTHERS EDGES CLOSER TO DUE DATE FOR DELIVERY

30 March 2008

Brisbane’s new world-class Mater Mothers Hospital is set to become the busiest maternity facility in the Southern Hemisphere when it opens in June.

Premier Anna Bligh, who toured the nearly completed hospital today, said the bigger and better Mater Mothers would deliver up to 10,000 babies a year.

“The current Mater Mothers’ is Australia’s busiest with 8,500 - or one in six – Queensland babies born there every year.

“With its expanded capacity, including more than twice the number of public beds, the Brisbane hospital will become the busiest facility in the Southern Hemisphere.

“It will also boast one of the country’s largest Neonatology Units, increasing the number of intensive care, high dependency and special care cots from 65 to 79.

“This hospital is an important part of this Government’s commitment to building a better health system for Queensland.”

The eight storey facility will significantly increase bed capacity, including:

*90 private beds – an increase of 21 beds;

*88 public beds – an increase of 47 beds;

*79 NICU/SCN cots- an increase of 19 cots; and

*16 Birth Suites – an increase of three suites.

Health Minister Stephen Robertson said the new hospital would offer the full range of obstetric health care, including gynaecology, neonatal, maternal fetal medicine, obstetric medicine, perinatal outreach education and a midwifery group practice.

“Queensland women will have access to a dedicated Breastfeeding Support Centre run by staff experienced in caring for newborn, premature and special needs babies,” Mr Robertson said.

“A Midwifery Group Practice program has also been established to create one-on-one partnerships between midwives and soon-to-be new mothers to support them through the stages of prenatal, labour, birthing and postnatal care.

“Mater will continue to provide expanded specialist care and life-saving treatment for severe complications in pregnancy, as well as new born disorders, to mothers and babies and will continue to be at the forefront of developing innovative techniques including ultrasound via telemedicine, first trimester ultrasound screening and fetal laser therapy.

“Additional services will also include a Pregnancy Assessment and Observation Unit managed by Mater Mothers’ midwives, enabling women with pregnancy related concerns to be reviewed in a comfortable and inviting setting,” he said

Patients will also benefit from more comfortable, expanded facilities including:

*An increased number of single rooms with ensuites

*Five larger single rooms with disabled access

*External views and natural light with personal baby bathing facilities

*A maximum of two women per room; and

*Closer proximity to Mater Adult Hospital Critical Care Unit

The Bligh Government contributed $127.7 million towards the $188 million hospital redevelopment, built in partnership with the Mater Health Service.

Ms Bligh said the construction of the facility would be completed next month with the commissioning phase already underway and the first patient expected to be treated 4 June.

Contact: Premiers Office 3224 4500
Health Ministers Office 3234 1191